by E. L. Todd
But I still couldn’t do it.
Would he look at me the same? Would he be so turned off that he would walk away? Would he stay with me just out of pity?
I didn’t know what to do. So I ended the embrace and turned away.
Kyle was unbelievably patient with me. He was practically a monk. For a man who could get anyone he wanted, he seemed intent on waiting it out with me. I knew he must be frustrated, being with the same woman for months without getting any action.
But he never complained.
He was making me fall hard for him, getting to the point where I couldn’t stand the possibility of losing him. He made me happy in a way no one else ever had. Sometimes I wondered if it was all a dream.
One that I never wanted to end.
It was tense for the following week, and the plane ride to France was also awkward. Kyle didn’t bring up that night or try to kiss me again, unless it was on the forehead. He was still affectionate with me like he always was, holding my hand or gripping my waist, but he wasn’t quite the same.
I wasn’t sure if I should say something.
When we arrived in Cannes I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. It was right next to the water, the coastline absolutely gorgeous. The sand was pristine white, and all the people were beautiful. Our hotel was right on the water, and it smelled like a scent I’d never experienced. The air was clean and the people were a little brash, but I loved it there all the same.
Kyle checked in. “I have two rooms—both under Kyle.”
He had two rooms?
The concierge pulled up the information on the computer. “Yes, I have you down for two suites.”
We weren’t sharing the same room?
“Thank you.” Kyle took the sets of keys then turned to me. “They’re right next to each other.”
“We aren’t staying together…?” I took the card with a shaky hand.
Kyle placed his in his wallet. “I just thought you’d be more comfortable alone.”
We hadn’t slept together since that night with the broken kiss, but I assumed we’d be attached at the hip for the weekend. “Uh…I’d rather stay with you.” I missed his strong body keeping me warm. His body heat naturally acted as a heater, keeping the cold sheets comfortable at all times. I loved feeling his powerful body beside mine, like nothing could hurt me when he was near.
“You’re sure?”
I nodded.
Kyle watched my face for hesitance, and when he didn’t find it he returned the keys to the extra room. “Nevermind. We won’t be needing these.”
***
Kyle hung up his suit in the closet then checked his phone for messages.
“What’s the plans for tonight?”
“The rehearsal dinner. The restaurant is right down the road.”
“What should I wear?”
“Something fancy.” When he finished checking his messages he looked me in the eye. “My mom and Charles have expensive taste.”
I opened my suitcase and searched through my outfits, unsure what I should try.
He came to my side then sorted through the dresses. He pulled out a deep blue one that had a low cut in the front. He whistled loudly. “Damn. This is the winner.”
I chuckled. “It’s not too slutty?”
“Sweetheart, there’s no such thing as too slutty.”
“There is when I’m meeting your mother for the first time.”
“Don’t worry about it. You could show up naked and she would still love you.”
“Why do I doubt that…?”
“Trust me. She’s just happy that I’m happy.”
I hadn’t met a boyfriend’s mother before, but I wasn’t nervous to do it for the first time. If she was anything like her son she was wonderful. And since the last woman left Kyle to go back to her ex, I would probably be immediately liked in comparison. “Then this should be easy.”
“It’ll be a walk in the park, sweetheart.”
***
Kyle held my hand as we walked down the narrow sidewalk together. Everything in France was reduced. The roads were thinner, the walkways were slimmer, and even the bathrooms were smaller.
“I’m starving.” He dropped my hand and hooked his arm around my waist. His hand rested on my lower back, squeezing the fabric slightly. “How about you?”
“I feel like I’m always hungry.”
He chuckled. “Good. You have great metabolism.”
“I think I just like to eat.”
“That makes two of us.” He approached the entrance to the restaurant and held the door open for me.
“Wait.” I grabbed his wrist and pulled him off to the side.
“What’s up, sweetheart?”
“How should I address your mother?” By her married last name? Her first name?
“Carol is fine.”
“You’re sure?” I couldn’t afford to screw this up.
“Yes.” A slow smile crept into his lips. “Where did these nerves come from?”
“I guess I just want this to go well…”
“Sweetheart, you’ll be fine. My mother already loves you, as I’ve told you. The man she’s marrying is Charles. He’s very nice too. Honestly, you couldn’t ask for better people. I know I’m biased and everything, but they’re down-to-earth people.”
That made me feel a little better. “Okay.”
He kissed my forehead before he pulled me inside. “Now let’s eat.”
***
Kyle’s mom was exactly how he depicted her. She was warm and inviting, and she loved Kyle with every fiber of her being. Despite the pain deep in her eyes from losing a husband and a child, she still had a zest for life. She drank more wine than anyone else, and she laughed more than all of us combined.
“So, you’re an architect?” Charles asked. “That’s very interesting.”
“Yes, I enjoy it.” I already finished my food and now I was sipping my wine. “It can be stressful sometimes, but I love all the bad moments as well as the good ones.”
“I can imagine,” he said. “Kyle said you’re designing his beach house?”
“I was…I haven’t really gotten around to it.” I dropped the project when we started dating. I spent all my free time with him so I didn’t have a chance to work on his new home.
“Because you’ve been busy, I hope.” Carol smiled before she took a drink. “You have no idea how happy I am that you’re here. My son talks about you so much, and it’s so nice to finally put a name to a face.”
“Mom, chill.” Kyle spoke politely but his tone hinted at his irritation.
“I’m so flattered I was invited. France is so beautiful.” This dinner was going way better than I imagined it would. Even though I just met Carol and her fiancée I felt like I knew them for my entire life.
“Nervous about tomorrow?” Kyle didn’t seem to care for the answer but he was eager to change the subject.
“Not really,” Carol said. “Charles and I have been together for a long time. I think it’s time we tie each other down.”
Charles gave her an affectionate look. “I couldn’t agree more.”
“Will your kids be there tomorrow?” Kyle asked.
The previous smile on his face evaporated immediately. “No, unfortunately. My kids aren’t as open to the idea of me getting remarried as you are.”
That was heartbreaking.
“I’m sorry,” Kyle said. “For what its worth, I’m very happy you’re getting married.”
“Thanks, kid,” Charles said with a forced smile.
“We aren’t going to let them bother us,” Carol said. “We make each other happy and that’s all that matters. I don’t want Charles’ money and I don’t need it. And he’s been alone for almost fifteen years. He deserves to have someone, as do I.”
I couldn’t agree more.
“You’re right, Mom.” Kyle clanked his glass against his mother’s. “I’ll drink to that.” He downed the rest of his wine like it was a shot.
; I did the same.
“Well, we should get to bed,” Charles said. “We have a long day tomorrow.”
“You guys better be sleeping in different rooms,” Kyle warned. “No hanky-panky the night before the wedding.” He shook his forefinger at both of them.
Carol chuckled. “Kyle…”
“I’m being serious,” Kyle said. “That’s not traditional.”
“I think it’s okay since we’ve already been married,” Carol said.
“And I need to have the talk with you.” He pointed at Charles.
“What talk?” Charles asked.
“You know, are you going to treat my mom right? Stuff like that. I’m the man of this family and it’s my duty.” Kyle smiled so they both knew he was joking.
Charles turned to Carol. “Damn, he’s strict.”
“He’s just protective of me.” Her eyes lit up when she looked at her son. “He’s a momma’s boy.”
“Yep.” Kyle raised his fist in the air. “And I’m proud of it.”
Kyle wasn’t just good-looking and successful. He was the biggest sweetheart in the world. He always made everyone around him smile. Making other people happy seemed to bring him the most joy.
“Do we need to have the birds and the bees talk too?” Kyle asked.
Charles chuckled. “I’ve already had three kids. I think I’m okay.”
“Alright,” Kyle said. “My door is always open if you need to talk.”
Charles turned to me. “You have a good man on your hands, Rose.”
“I know.” I felt Kyle stare at the side of my face. “I’m very lucky. I’m not sure what I did to deserve such a wonderful man, but I’m not going to think about it too hard. I’m just glad he’s mine.”
***
“What’d you think?” Kyle kicked off his shoes then undressed himself. He removed his jacket then undid his tie, giving me a private strip show.
“About what?” I slipped off my heels and felt my feet scream in relief.
“About my mom.”
“She was great.”
“I’m glad the two of you got along.” He undid the buttons of his shirt then pulled it off. He returned it to the hanger and let it rest on the back of the chair. “My mom is pretty cool. I don’t know very many people who dislike her.”
“I doubt anyone dislikes her.”
He pulled off his socks then removed his slacks.
I’d seen him nearly naked many times, and I was never ready for the sight. He was undeniably beautiful, fit and strong. He had the body of a Greek god and the heart of a saint. He was the sexiest man I’d ever laid eyes on. Sometimes I couldn’t believe I didn’t jump on top of him and had my way with him. Whenever we were together I didn’t think about my past. All I thought about was him.
Kyle caught my stare. “Checking me out?” He grinned from ear-to-ear.
“Uh…” I was caught red-handed. “I just…”
“I’ll take that as an omission of guilt.”
I turned away and stared at my shoes on the ground. I fidgeted with the necklace I wore, trying to find something to do with my hands. My cheeks were turning bright red. I could feel the heat.
Kyle grabbed a bottle of water from the mini-fridge then got into bed. “Are you going to join me anytime soon?” He turned off the lamp and got comfortable.
“Yeah…just let me change.” I walked into the bathroom and undressed myself. There was an unusual sensation in my fingertips, a burn that wouldn’t die out. My entire body felt hot, and the area between my legs was wet. I hadn’t been turned on like this in so long I almost didn’t recognize it.
I put on my pajamas but felt awkward doing it. I wanted to walk out there in just my underwear. I wanted to slip under the covers and feel his naked body rub against mine. Instead of sleeping I wanted to do scandalous things.
Was I ready for it?
I pulled off my pajamas as quickly as I put them on. In just my panties and bra I looked at myself in the mirror. My make up was still on and it wasn’t smeared. My hair looked pretty decent too. I couldn’t believe what I was about to do, but I would regret it if I didn’t.
I left the bathroom and walked to the bed. Kyle lay on his back with his eyes closed. His chest rose and fell gently, his breathing calm. The sheets were bunched around his waist, showing his hard chest and defined stomach.
I swallowed the lump in my throat before I slid into the bed beside him. My bare skin rubbed against his, and when he noticed the lack of clothes his eyes opened.
He looked at me with surprise, his eyes immediately moving to my bra and stomach. Instead of touching me he kept staring. He slowly sat up and his eyes traveled up my body until they met mine.
I couldn’t breathe.
“I hope this isn’t just to torture me.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my bare shoulder. He’d never kissed me there before.
It was the greatest sensation I’ve ever felt in my life.
He pulled his lips away, his eyes hungry for me. “What do you want, sweetheart?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
“Tell me. I don’t want to misread you.” He restrained himself from touching me again. His eyes were on me, eating me alive. But his hands remained stationary.
“I…I want to kiss you.”
“What else?”
I wasn’t sure.
“Sweetheart.”
“I want to be naked with you.”
His breathing picked up, and he couldn’t hide the desire on his face.
“But I don’t want to do more than that…” In the moment I might feel differently, but at that moment I wasn’t ready for it.
“Okay.” He moved in to kiss me again.
“Even if I say otherwise I don’t want to.”
He paused before his mouth touched mine. “That’s fine. Even if you beg me it won’t happen.”
I knew he would respect my wishes even if he wanted more. I could trust him.
He wrapped his arm around me aggressively and dragged me underneath him. He pulled me with such intensity I felt like a log and he was a caveman. He moved on top of me, his stomach next to mine.
Now I couldn’t breathe fast enough.
“You can trust me, Rose.” He kissed the corner of my mouth before he slowly made his way down my neck. His lips enjoyed me everywhere, tasting the skin of my neck and my chest. He didn’t remove what was left of my clothing, choosing to go around it.
When he reached my stomach he pressed light kisses everywhere. He even licked my belly button, something I had no idea could be sexy. Then he moved to the skin of my hips, kissing the fabric of my thong without removing it.
Kyle positioned my leg over his shoulder and kissed my inner thigh.
My nails immediately dug into the sheets and I held back a moan. I never knew my thigh could be such an erogenous zone. My body became ten degrees warmer, and sweat formed on the back of my neck.
He kissed the other thigh, his facial hair brushing up against the skin as he moved. Having a man kiss me like this was the sexiest thing in the world. His mouth glided back up my body until he was position above me again.
I stared at his chest and noted the hard lines that bisected it everywhere. He was a model for the male anatomy, and I could see every distinction within his body. With minds of their own, my hands moved up his chest and stomach.
Then I wrapped my legs around his waist.
I was surprised by my own actions but that didn’t stop me from doing it. I could feel the definition of his cock through his boxers. He pressed right against my clit, providing just the right amount of friction.
It felt amazing.
Kyle rocked into me slowly, seeing the satisfaction I was getting from it. He brushed his lips passed mine in a tantalizing way, and then he pressed his entire mouth against mine.
My hands trailed to his arms and I dug my fingers into the skin. A moan emerged from the back of my throat, untamed.
His lips didn’t move onc
e they were against mine. They just stayed there, hovering. And then he slowly kissed me. He sucked my bottom lip before he massaged my mouth again. He took his time, giving me kisses that were purposeful and sexy.
Wow.
He turned his head slightly to the left, getting more access to my mouth. And then his tongue moved inside, lightly touching mine.
I tightened my thighs around his waist.
He rubbed against me slowly, his cock doing amazing things to my clitoris. I hadn’t had this kind of touch in years so my threshold was dangerously low. “I think I’m going to come.” I was embarrassed the second I said that. It was a stupid thing to say, but I wasn’t thinking when it slipped out. We barely began to fool around and I was going to crumble. He would think it was pathetic.
He spoke into my mouth, still partially kissing me. “Me too.”
I wasn’t thinking about anything but him. All I could feel was his mouth against mine, the taste of his soft lips. The area between my legs never felt so good. I was on fire, burning in every good way imaginable.
His hand snaked around my back and he unhooked my bra, letting the straps come loose. He gently pulled the material away until my tits were in his view.
He stared at them as he continued to rock. Then he leaned down and kissed the valley between my breasts, kissing and licking the area. He brought each nipple into his mouth and sucked them aggressively, giving me a twinge of pain that actually felt good.
My hands explored his body further, dragging down his back and feeling the ripple of his muscles. His arms were pinned to either side of me, and I could feel his hot skin as we moved together.
He leaned back and rested on the balls of his feet and his hands moved to the top of my thong. He fingered it gently as he looked me in the eye, making sure I was okay with what was about to happen.
I grabbed his wrists and guided them down my thighs, pulling my underwear with them.
He pulled them off my legs then tossed them on the ground beside the bed. I could feel the moisture between my legs so I knew those panties were soaked. He probably realized it too.
My courage stemmed from an unknown place, and I sat up and grabbed the top of his boxers. I fingered the material for a moment before I slowly pulled them down. Just before his tip popped out I remained still, trying to catch my breath and prepare for what I was about to witness.