Show Me How to Love

by Synithia Williams

  Andre swept the door open, cell phone plastered to his ear. He grinned broadly, the sexy gesture sent a frisson of delight across her skin. The man was delicious in a crisp white shirt unbuttoned at the base of his throat and tucked into the waistband of charcoal grey slacks.

  He grabbed her hand and squeezed ushering her inside. Mikayla dropped an overnight bag beside the door and let him lead. He lived in a beautiful condo with an excellent view of downtown Greenville and the Reedy River was visible through the large windows. The combination of beige walls, dark wood floors and cream tones complemented the tan modern furniture. A large television screen and an array of electronic devices adorned one wall. No pictures anywhere. Typical bachelor’s space.

  “I don’t have time for this,” he snapped into the phone. Andre leaned over and kissed Mikayla’s cheek, pointed toward the couch, then stood gazing out the wall of glass windows leading to a balcony. His shoulders stiffened and he ran a hand across his face.

  She crossed the room and wrapped her arms around his waist. Resting her head against the rigid muscles of his back, she closed her eyes and relished the enticing smell of his cologne. She’d missed him. The way he smelled, the way he towered over her but touched her as if she would break, the deep rich sound of his voice. Missed him so much, that all she wanted now, was to forget about her conversation with Angelica and concentrate on relieving his tension. She hated seeing the people she loved upset.

  Her eyes popped open. She loved him!

  He turned around and wrapped his arm around her shoulders and cradled her against his side. “I don’t give a damn what you have to say. Don’t bother me with this anymore.” He ended the call then tossed his phone on the couch. “Hey you,” he lowered his head and pressed a kiss against her temple.

  She giggled…a trait she started around him. “Bad phone call.”

  “I don’t want to talk about that phone call.” His seductive lips slid from her temple, down her cheek, then to her jaw. His voice was smooth and rich as honey. “I want to reacquaint myself with your body.”

  Her breathing hitched and pulse increased in tempo. “You got to know it pretty well last weekend.”

  His deep chuckle penetrated her body with the intensity of a hypodermic needle. Shooting her up with desire that hardened her nipples and sent a river of warmth between her legs. “I can never know enough. Every moan you make drives me crazy.”

  She opened her mouth, but Andre’s tongue flicked across the pulse of her throat. “I…bet you say that to all the ladies,” she said her voice breathless.

  Andre lifted his head, all humor left his eyes. “I’ve only said that to you.”

  Her smile fell away as her lips parted with a heavy breath. “Then make me moan.”

  That was all the encouragement he needed. All her uncertainties faded away when his lips touched hers. They’d spent the past month and a half becoming familiar with each other’s body. She’d never been a selfish lover, but giving Andre pleasure turned her on more than she ever would have expected. The thought of the sweet taste of his skin on her tongue and the feel of his body under her fingertips had her wet and aching for him.

  She made quick work of releasing the buttons of his shirt and ran her hands over the strong muscles of his chest. A curly mass of chest hair tickled her fingers and she gently scratched her nails against his hot skin. He broke their kiss and nibbled along her jaw and down the side of her neck. Quickly unbuttoning her pants he pushed them past her waist. When his nimble fingers touched the wetness between her legs a satisfied sigh seeped through his lips. Andre leisurely drove one long finger into the depths of her center driving her to elicit a long sensual moan.

  “That’s it, baby, let me know you like it.” He pressed her back against the cool glass balcony window. He slowly lowered to his knees. “I want more than moans. I want to make you scream.”

  Lifting her right leg, his hand ran up and down her sensitive skin and he rested her trembling leg over his shoulder. Her head fell back against the glass then he parted the swollen lips of her core.

  “You’ve got the prettiest pussy on the planet,” he murmured before his tongue did a long stroke across her erect clit.

  Mikayla’s knees buckled, and she pressed against the glass for support. Pleasure bounced inside of her from head to toe. One hand grabbed his head, the other splayed against the window. No words came, only loud cries while his firm tongue explored the wetness between her thighs. The extreme pleasure more than she could bear, her fingers clenched against his scalp, and her leg trembled as the start of an orgasm pulsed a frantic beat.

  “You’ve got to stop,” she gasped.

  “Not yet.” Thick lips surrounded her swollen nub followed by the steady pressure of him sucking.

  Her orgasm exploded. “Andrrreeeee,” she screamed his name. Slapping the glass and bucking against his mouth. Before the waves could pass, he pulled her away from the window onto the floor. She lay panting on the hardwood floor while he pulled a condom from his pants, lowered them, and covered his erection. Quickly, he covered her body with his then buried his face in her neck and his thick erection into her trembling flesh. His thrusts were fast, urgent and slid against her walls perfectly. Her hips lifted to meet his, long nails dug into his back. Primal grunts and moans the language of her heart.

  He rode the wave of her orgasm until another rose. Strong hands gripped her hips and he pushed steadily in and out. Her toes curled, her mouth went dry, and when he turned his head to kiss her neck, she shattered again. His body tensed and then his dick jerked deep within her with his release. She gasped, “I love you.”

  *

  Forty-five minutes later, Mikayla forced herself to leave the shower and look for Andre in the living room. After her whispered confession, he’d avoided eye contact, she figured they both needed a few minutes alone. How the hell am I supposed to fix saying I love you way too soon?

  Mikayla found the living room empty. Reflected in the glass door, Andre stood illuminated by the glowing end of a cigarette on the balcony. She made a quick detour back into the bedroom to grab a sweater out of her overnight bag before joining him. The days were warming up, but the nights were still cool. A steady breeze greeted her when she walked outside and she pulled her sweater tight. Andre glanced over, the corner of his mouth lifted but it wasn’t exactly a smile.

  “I like your orange head wrap,” he said.

  She patted the makeshift turban. “I couldn’t let my hair get wet in the shower.” Her toned peaked defensively.

  He motioned with his hand for her to come closer. “I wasn’t being sarcastic, I mean it. You’re comfortable enough with me to wear it.” He shook his head then brought the cigarette to his lips. “You shouldn’t be comfortable with me.”

  She leaned against the balcony ledge beside him. Moonlight glistened on the surface of the river in the distance and the faint sounds of life in the city drifted their way. She thought of Angelica and her earlier confidence wavered.

  “Why not?” She held out her hand and he passed over the cigarette.

  Pulling in a deep breath, he stood straight his shoulders rigid and faced her. “I need to tell you something.”

  The cigarette shook when she raised it to her lips with a trembling hand. The nicotine did little to calm her racing heart.

  “Let me guess, it’s been fun but now it’s time to move on,” she said.

  “No. Where did that come from?”

  She wasn’t relieved. “I saw Angelica today. She wants you back.” She watched closely for any sign that the news made him happy.

  He frowned. “How do you know that?”

  She pretended it wasn’t excruciating to tell the man she’d fallen in love with that his beautiful ex-fiancé wanted him back, with a flippant shrug. “She told me.”

  “Typical.” The single word reply was followed by a humorless chuckle. “Angelica likes to play games. She’s upset I don’t give a damn about what she did in the mountains. Telling y
ou was her way to get me to reach out and ask her to come back.” He took her arm and pulled Mikayla against the warmth of his side. “Don’t worry.”

  “You say that, but do you mean it? You did plan on asking that woman to marry you.” She handed the cigarette back to him.

  He took a draw and handed it back. When she shook her head, he crushed the butt in the ashtray beside him. “She was good looking, fit in with my family, and willing to accept that I couldn’t give her more than the security that comes with my wealth.”

  She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. His handsome features were clear in the silver light of the moon. It struck her again how much she’d grown to care for him.

  “You’d still planned to spend your life with her. Are you sure you didn’t love her just a little?”

  Andre peered into Mikayla’s eyes. “I don’t know how to love.” His tone implied more than what he said. Those dark eyes screamed a demand she wished she could misunderstand.

  Pain erupted in her heart. Tears stung her eyes, and she turned away. They’d made no promises to each other. She’d made the choice to be with him and let her feelings slip in over the past weeks.

  “It’s a good thing I don’t love you then, huh,” Her voice rippled like the moonlight on the river.

  He slipped behind her and wrapped strong arms around her waist. She wanted to resist, but the heat from his body pulled her in. She rested her head on his shoulder and he lowered his lips, pressing them against her temple.

  “Maybe you could show me how to love,” he whispered.

  Hope exploded inside her. “You have to want to learn.”

  “That’s the difficult part. I’ve never wanted to be in love before.”

  She squirmed in his arms in an attempt to turn, but his grasp tightened and prevented her from moving.

  His voice took on a wistful tone. “Mom puts on a brave front, but she still loves my dad after all of these years, and he knows it. Whenever she comes to visit, he asks her to spend the night with him. Not because he cares or misses her, but because she lets him. It proves he still has power over her. My stepmom used to get angry, now she accepts his infidelity. Love makes you do stupid things.”

  This time when Mikayla turned, Andre didn’t stop her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and trembled when his hands ran up and down the curve of her back.

  “Some people can’t distinguish between a person loving them and a person taking advantage of them.” Her fingers brushed the hairs on the back of his neck. “It doesn’t mean everyone who falls in love, is willing to be treated badly.”

  “I’m my father’s son. I’ve cheated, broken hearts, and taken advantage. I don’t want to do that, not to someone I could love.”

  Warmth spread beneath her skin, she barely contained her smile. “Admitting that means you won’t. You already know the value of having someone love you.”

  He slowly kissed her. When he lifted his head there was a tight smile on his face, but no joy. “I’m glad you think that.”

  Before she could reply he kissed her. Harder. Aggressive this time. He slid his large hand past the waistband of her pajama bottoms and firmly cupped her behind. A stirring against her stomach meant his arousal was increasing, and her body heated in response.

  “Have you ever made love on a balcony?” His deep voice rumbled seductively against her lips.

  She moved her head from side to side. He grinned. “Let me introduce you to the delight.”

  CHAPTER 26

  Mikayla squealed happily when Andre’s country house came into view at the end of the long driveway. Her joy brought a satisfied smile to Andre’s lips. He rarely took women to his sanctuary from work, family, and life in the city. The one time he’d brought Angelica she’d complained of boredom.

  “The house is beautiful,” Mikayla stepped out of the car.

  “It’s alright.” He tried to play it off as no big deal, but couldn’t hide the pleasure in his voice.

  Early morning sunlight filtered through the tall oak trees surrounding the two bedroom cottage. He didn’t need a lot of space while out here and the woods blocked the view from both the road and Jonathan’s house which was a few acres over. Andre considered the place functional and structurally sound, but not beautiful.

  “Did you plant the roses?” She walked over to the green stems that would produce yellow flowers in a few months.

  He cocked his head to the side. “Me, plant roses?” He chuckled. “No, mom did right after I bought the place. She insisted on adding color.”

  Mikayla fingered one of the stems and looked around the yard. “She did a good job. Even though winter is ending, there’s color and beauty.”

  “I’ll be sure to let her know you like it. The inside isn’t as nice. I didn’t let her decorate.”

  She left the roses and came back to his side. “If she did this good with the yard, why not?”

  “My mom loves butterflies. All of her decorations have them. I refused to let her defile my man space.”

  Her laugh echoed in the solitude of the early morning. “I like butterflies. Maybe I’ll put a few on the walls.”

  He grinned, reached out, took her elbow and pulled Mikayla against him. He enjoyed the feel of her soft breasts against his chest and couldn’t resist palming the lusciousness of her behind. She ran her hands up his arms and squeezed his biceps. He liked the way she got excited when she touched him.

  “You keep rubbing me like that and I’ll let you put up pink butterflies.”

  She giggled, the lovable sound luring his head down to her lips. The curves of her body pressed against him, and her eager tongue darted out to meet his.

  He liked her, a lot. Wanted to spend too much of his free time with her. The fact that she loved him was scary as hell. The Dalmtrix deal was effectively killed and she wasn’t hurt by that. She’d found a way to persevere, but things could still go bad if she discovered his involvement.

  Her hand wormed its way to the front of his pants. Getting her inside as soon as possible was all that mattered right now. The roar of a motorcycle engine interrupted them.

  Mikayla raised a brow and glanced his way.

  The black and chrome Harley stopped beside his car. He pushed back his frustration but didn’t smile at Jonathan’s impromptu visit.

  Jonathan removed his helmet and strolled over. “I thought that was your car.” He gazed at Mikayla with an appreciative gleam in his eye. “And you brought an angel with you.”

  Andre wasn’t prone to eye rolling, but Jonathan’s Prince Charming routine could be nauseating. “Mikayla, this jackass is Jonathan Wright.”

  Her eyes widened and she grinned. “The petri dish defender?”

  Jonathan laughed. “You told her about that.”

  Mikayla pointed her thumb in Andre’s direction. “I only got his side of the story.”

  Jonathan winked. “I’ll be sure to tell you the truth one day.”

  Andre raised his brow. “I told her the truth. I always tell the truth.” The lie nearly stuck in his throat.

  “Then she knows I kicked your butt?” Jonathan asked with a look of surprise.

  Andre pushed Jonathan’s shoulder. “She’s about to see me kick your butt. What are you doing here anyway?”

  “You didn’t mention coming up this weekend, and when I saw your car I figured I’d stop by and see what’s up.” Jonathan smiled at Mikayla. It was the same smile Andre had seen turn women into stuttering fools.

  “Just showing Mikayla my place. You can leave now.” He swept an open hand toward Jonathan’s bike.

  Mikayla playfully swatted at his arm. “Don’t be rude. It’s nice to meet you Jonathan.”

  Jonathan’s teasing look meant he wasn’t planning on going anywhere anytime soon. “That’s right, Andre, don’t be rude. Have you been inside yet?”

  “You know we just arrived,” Andre said.

  “Then she doesn’t know your fridge is probably completely empty. You know you should co
me to my house for breakfast.”

  “I had groceries delivered yesterday,” he cut in before Jonathan could head to the door.

  “Even better, I’ll cook.” He took Mikayla’s hand and placed it on his arm. “Andre’s a terrible cook. When we were roommates in college he damn near gave me food poisoning every time he stepped in the kitchen. I still don’t know why I bless him with my friendship.”

  Mikayla laughed and peeked over her shoulder when Jonathan led her to the door. Andre sighed but smiled and followed. Jonathan had bugged the hell out of him to meet Mikayla. As annoying as Jonathan’s arrival was, Andre appreciated his friend looking out for him.

  Andre’s cell phone rang as soon as they entered the house. His brother’s number flashed on the screen.

  “I’ve got to take this,” he said to Mikayla and Jonathan.

  Jonathan grinned. “Go ahead, I’ll entertain Mikayla.”

  “That’s what I’m worried about.”

  Jonathan winked before escorting Mikayla to the kitchen. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. The sound of her laughter trailed behind them. Andre would have to remind Jonathan to turn down some of that charm.

  Andre frowned as another bout of laughter came from his kitchen and answered the phone. “Yeah?”

  “I just got word that Dalmtrix is still considering moving to Hartsville.”

  Andre spun away from the kitchen, his fingers tightened around the phone. “Where did you hear that?”

  “I spoke with someone at the Chamber of Commerce. Apparently Caldwell Development is working out a new project with the school district and Community Development Department. Early buzz about this project is making the area more enticing for their relocation.”

  “What about the worries of increased contamination if they move?”

  “They’ve sent representatives down to talk with the county council and promised to go the extra mile to prove their commitment to the environment. Even if Senator Leventis disagrees with the deal, it’s going to go through.”