“Okay, nasty.” Melissa laughed, throwing a grape at him from the bowl resting on the table next to her. “I get it.”
They were seated on the patio, under the inky black sky dotted with millions of stars with a small glow of light from the bedroom illuminating them, listening to the soothing sounds of the rain as it fell around them, and sharing a bowl of fruit. After making love the first time, Elijah had flipped Melissa over and took her from behind. Once they climaxed together, he carried Melissa into the spacious en-suite bathroom, to an awaiting bubble bath in a jacuzzi tub large enough to fit four people comfortably but still wasn’t big enough to contain the water that sloshed over the sides as she straddled his lap and rode Elijah like a thrilling rollercoaster ride.
Though muscles she hadn’t used in a while ached, her sex-deprived body still craved more of Elijah. Had her stomach not growled loud enough for Elijah to hear it while his face was buried between her thighs after their soak, they would still be tangled in the covers, lost in the throes of passion. Forcing the accompanying image from her head, Melissa plucked a bright red strawberry from the bowl, dipped it in a vat of melted chocolate, and bit into it before offering the rest of the succulent fruit to Elijah.
He leaned forward, his eyes locked on her, and wrapped his mouth around the strawberry, finishing the rest. Chewing slowly, a moan escaped his lips. Forcing her eyes away from his mouth, Melissa moved to discard the fruit’s top, but Elijah grabbed her wrist. His tongue snaked around her fingers, lapping the remnants of chocolate from her fingers, greedily pulling them deeper into his mouth, licking, sucking, and nibbling, driving her completely insane.
Melissa shifted in her chair and squeezed her thighs together in a last-ditch effort to control the slow-burn pulsing at her center. “Elijah,” she croaked, not recognizing her own voice.
“Hmmm?” Elijah continued to lick and suck at her flesh, holding her hand hostage in one, while the other slid from her feet on his lap, up her ankles, over her calves to stop at her lower thigh.
She inhaled a slow, shaky breath, willing herself to gain control of her lust-filled body. As much as Melissa wanted to feel Elijah buried to the hilt inside of her, he’d been adamant about giving her body a chance to rest while they replenished their energy with food. But with Elijah’s hands on her now, and those dark, enticing eyes of his staring at her like she was the actual meal he wanted to devour, the little bit of thread her self-control dangled precariously by now was ready to snap.
But how could Melissa aid Elijah in keeping his promise to give her time to rest when from the moment she bumped into Elijah, she wanted him? He made her weak with unbridled arousal, rewired her body so it responded in a way it never did before or imagined for herself. As he’d taken her from behind, Melissa blurted out obscenities that, the more she thought about it, made her blush like a virgin watching BET Uncut. Elijah had become in tuned to her every desire, knew what to do—and when to do it—how to optimize and deliver the maximum amount of pleasure that left her shaking as he held onto her while she splintered into a million pieces in his arms. Then, before she could even catch her breath or come down from her orgasmic bliss, he began their ascent to pure ecstasy again.
It was no surprise her throat felt scratchy. She’d practically spent the entire time screaming and begging Elijah for more. Her passionate cries bounced off the walls around them. Thankfully, according to Elijah, they had the entire private floor to themselves. Which turned out to be what they needed since they’d gotten increasingly louder each time. And the last thing they needed were noise complaints from other guests.
Making love to Elijah was that damn good. Exceptional. Mind-blowing. Otherworldly. Hell, she’d go as far as to say it was the best damn sexual experience of her life, and no, she wasn’t like some of the women who claimed to have never had good sex until meeting the guy of their dreams. She’d had decent sex before Elijah. However, this man left her salivating and craving more of his touch. His movements, the intensity in his eyes, his gruff commands for her to look at him, to keep her eyes open, arch her back, or take his strokes, everything Elijah did unraveled every preconceived notion Melissa had about sex, and for her sake Elijah selflessly gave into every one of her whims.
“What is it, sweetheart?”
The husky sound of his voice, its nearness, and the warmth of his breath fanning the side of her face snapped Melissa from her thoughts. She gasped softly. When had Elijah moved from his spot on the couch, closer to her? She couldn’t focus, not while his hand inched up her thigh, slipping beneath the hem of his oversized T-shirt, to rest oh so close to her sex. So close, Melissa was positive Elijah could feel the heat radiating there.
Especially since she hadn’t bothered to put anything else on.
She shivered under his touch. Her mind screaming for him to put her out of her misery and touch her the way he done all night. Using those skilled fingers to stroke her mind and body to oblivion. Yet, his words from earlier rang loud in her ears. Melissa swallowed hard, glancing over to the bowl of fruit. “I-I thought we were going to eat.”
The corner of his lips curved into the sexiest smirk any man had the right to possess. “We are.” He leaned forward. His lips hovered mere inches from hers.
On their own accord, Melissa’s eyes slipped to his mouth. Her breath caught in her lungs as she couldn’t help but remember how he’d used it to please and tease her. Kissing every inch of her body, from top to bottom and all the places in between, causing her to writhe and squirm underneath the delicious heaviness of his body. Elijah exhibited laser focus, had been damn-near relentless in his pursuit of showing her all the things he wanted to do to her, including several positions Melissa never tried before. Right then and there, with her mind made up, Melissa knew there would be no more waiting. She wanted Elijah.
Before Melissa could move to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him against her, Elijah stood, then pressed his lips against hers in a quick kiss. “I’ll be right back.”
Elijah disappeared through the master bedroom’s sliding doors, leaving Melissa alone to reflect on the time they shared together. It had been a whirlwind adventure since the moment Elijah offered to show her around the island. Every second of every minute they spent in each other’s company turned out to be far better than Melissa could’ve ever imagined. He’d taken her places she would’ve never visited alone since Jayla deserted her and helped her to open her mind to do things she would have never done in life, but somewhere along the way, he’d helped her tap into the woman she yearned to be. Adventurous. Daring. Confident. Empowered. Like the sexiest, most treasured woman to walk the face of the earth. Thanks to Elijah, she’d stepped outside of her bubble, the comfort zone she’d grown used to, and if she were being honest with herself, Melissa loved the multi-dimensional world she’d emerged within.
Tonight alone taught her that making love was more than a physical act or a race to achieve the desired release. And although Melissa had been thoroughly satisfied after each of the orgasms she’d achieved with Elijah, losing count—and partial feeling in her legs sometime after the third one—tonight felt more like they were creating and strengthening a bond between them. Somehow, the once-tiny crack in the wall around her heart spread, causing huge chunks of brick to fall at her feet, and the realization both scared and excited Melissa at the same time.
However, she needed to think with her head. Melissa couldn’t afford to allow herself to get wrapped up in a man who had yet to state what he expected to come from their newfound… whatever they shared, despite his claims of wanting to maintain contact with her once she left the island.
“What’s got you cheesing all hard over there?”
The smile Melissa hadn’t realized was on her face stretched higher as she turned in her seat to see Elijah casually leaning against the door jam, his arms folded over his shirtless chest, wearing only a pair of basketball shorts riding low on his trim hips that he’d slipped on before their venture to the kitchen. He
pushed from the door, and like a panther stalking its prey, Elijah moved toward her with slow, steady steps. Taking Melissa’s hand in his, he pulled her to her feet and against the hardness of his body.
“Despite knowing this runs the risk of inflating your massive ego more, I’ll tell you.” Melissa wrapped her arms around Elijah’s neck. “I was thinking about the last few days and how they’ve changed my life, largely in part thanks to you.”
“Really?” Elijah arched a questioning brow. “I think you’re giving me far too much credit.”
“Not really. I wouldn’t have done any of the things you’d suggested this week. I probably would’ve spent the entire week in my head, moping about the decision to quit my job, questioning my failed relationship, and trying to figure out how I became so afraid to live that I’d grown comfortable with merely existing.”
Elijah shook his head. “You’re too hard on yourself, sweetheart, and you’re focusing on all the wrong things. You left your job to protect yourself and your mental health because the environment in which you worked could become hostile. Leaving there set you on another path, where you’ve already interviewed for another job.”
Melissa nodded. “But—”
“Nope, no buts, unless it’s your butt.” Elijah grabbed a handful of her butt, causing Melissa to laugh. Once her laughter subsided, he continued, “As far as your ex is concerned, you did nothing wrong. He forgot to put as much time into his relationship with you as he did his career, from what you told me. That’s not your fault. Nor is it a reflection of who you are. He messed up by letting you go. And you’ve moved on.”
Had she? Melissa made several changes in her life, those that were for the better. She’d chosen to live her life according to what she wanted for herself, and not by the expectations of others. And she’d done what she said she would never do again. Melissa allowed another man into her life. While she wouldn’t tell Elijah that he’d helped her more than he believed, and it scared her. Did their time together grown to mean much more to him as it had to her? Melissa wanted to ask the questions to see where Elijah’s head was in all this, but her pride wouldn’t let her. She didn’t want to think about what would happen once their night was over or what would happen once the sun beamed her glorious rays across the morning sky, bringing light to the world and with it the consequences from the night before. If she could, she’d force all thoughts of their impending departures out of her mind and allow herself to enjoy the sheer multitude of this situation without empty promises.
“Right,” Melissa agreed. But to her own ears, she didn’t sound very convincing. And apparently, her lack of enthusiasm wasn’t lost on the ever-so-preceptive Elijah Grayson.
Gently, he cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “I meant what I said about us staying in contact once we leave, yet I still sense your hesitation.” He shrugged. “Rightfully so, neither of us know what awaits us once we’re back to do everyday things. But I know what I want, Melissa.” He leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. “And knowing what I’m about to tell you runs the risk of inflating your ego, you should know I can’t walk away from you. I thought up every possible scenario with the two of us—ones in which I walk you back to your room, kiss you goodnight, and we never speak again, or where I watch you leave my suite knowing it would be the last time we see one another. I didn’t particularly enjoy those.”
“So? What happens now, Elijah? Do we pretend that this is going to be a piece of cake? Hell, I don’t even know what this is. How can we expect it to work when it doesn’t even have a name or a label?” Melissa shook her head and stepped back to put some much-needed space between them, but not before Elijah caught her wrist.
“I wish I could tell you what this is, but I can’t, Melissa. All I know is I like you, and I want to continue getting to know you better. No one said it would be easy. It wasn’t even implied. But, I’m willing to try. Are you?”
Melissa thought about all the times she’d allowed fear to hold her back in life and how Elijah helped her navigate through previously unchartered waters. But what stood out most was Melissa’s desire to continue the journey. “Yes.”
Chapter Nine
After unlocking the door to his office, Elijah swept inside, kicking it behind him, and headed for his desk but thought better of it and made a beeline for the couch as the phone in his pocket began vibrating. He placed his cup down on one of the end tables, reached into his pocket, and extracted his cell phone before plopping down on the plush loveseat. Smiling at the image that popped up on his screen, he swiped to connect the video call.
“Damn, you’re beautiful,” Elijah said with a groan in lieu of a greeting. Melissa’s face lit up in a smile that threatened to send his already racing pulse into overdrive. She was stunning, though Elijah could see the hints of tiredness in her eyes.
“You’re looking handsome as ever, Dr. Grayson. But I’m sure you know that already.”
“You’re right. I do.” They laughed as Elijah settled back against the couch. He grabbed his cup and took a sip of his latte.
“Coffee?”
“Chai tea latte. This pretty lil’ nurse I’m absolutely crazy about suggested skipping coffee for this. She said there’s a little caffeine in it, which means I can drink a couple of these instead of a lot of coffee.” He winked.
“Oh, so you’re crazy about this nurse, huh?”
He smiled. “I am. You’re special as hell. I don’t think all the positive adjectives in the English language could ever fully describe you.” Melissa gasped, turning her head slightly away from the camera to hide the blush Elijah knew was warming her face, but not before he noticed the tears welling in her eyes.
Between their time together on the island and the sporadic video calls they’d engaged in over the last three weeks, Elijah became well versed in all things Melissa, and he enjoyed it thoroughly. Seeing Melissa blush quickly became one of his favorite things about her besides watching her face light up with laughter, but nothing compared to her expression and the sounds she made while giving herself over to pleasure. The way her eyes alternated between going wide as saucers or fluttering in an attempt to keep them open and watch him, the twisting and turning of her features the closer she got to her orgasm, how her mouth always formed the most perfectly shaped O he’d ever seen, and the sated look of pure and utter satisfaction after her release stayed imprinted in his head since the first time they made love. I can’t wait to see it all again.
He vaguely heard Melissa mention wanting to echo his sentiments but choosing not to because she feared he wouldn’t be able to fit his oversized head through his office door. It was just like her to counter an emotional statement with humor.
“Elijah!” Melissa yelled, tapping the screen. She sighed, concern filling her brown eyes. “Babe, you need some sleep.”
Elijah shook his head. “I’m good.” What Melissa took as him falling asleep was him replaying those steamy, hot memories of their lovemaking. His dick hardened at the images of her legs perched on his shoulder, floating in his head.
“But you’re not. You’ve been awake for over twenty-four hours. As much as I want to talk to you, see you, hear your voice, I want you to sleep.”
“Sweetheart, it’s—”
“Nope.” Melissa shifted her body, her face momentarily going off screen. But after a couple seconds, she was back. Elijah noticed the Tiffany Blue tufted headboard, followed by a mountain of black pillows. She was still in bed. He glanced at his watch. 7:07 a.m., meaning it was just after six in Louisiana.
“Were you asleep?”
A pang of guilt hit Elijah at the thought of him scheduling this video call in the middle of her slumber. Since Jayla moved from their shared home to her new city, he knew Melissa was sleeping less and less. Partially due to the newness of being alone, but also because she’d been worrying about her future.
“No, I went for a walk this morning. I literally just climbed back in bed after showering. And since you’re
acting stubborn right now, we’re both going to take a nap.” She stuck her tongue out.
Laughing, Elijah lay back on the couch, tucking an arm under his head. “Fine, I’ll indulge you in this if you do something for me.”
Melissa captured her lower lip between her teeth. Her eyes darkened to a shade of brown that almost appeared black. “Isn’t it a little too early for that, Dr. Grayson?”
“It’s never too early for that, Nurse Gaines.” Elijah winked.
A few video chats ago, Melissa shocked the hell out of Elijah when, during a game of Truth or Dare, she dared him to remove his shirt. Though the request had been innocent enough, the game ended with both of them struggling to catch their breaths after coaxing themselves to orgasmic bliss.
“That’s not what I’m suggesting. Because why settle for anything less when you can have what’s real?”
Face bunched in confusion, Melissa sat up in her bed. “What are you talking about, Elijah?”
“You, me, and a plane ticket to the city of my choosing for this weekend. All you have to do is say yes.”
Her eyes widened. “This weekend?”
“Yep,” he answered.
Melissa tapped a finger to her chin, appearing to be considering his offer, while Elijah waited on bated breath. He knew what he was asking was not only spontaneous but definitely out of left field. Still, Elijah missed Melissa so much, he physically ached for her: to hold, touch, and kiss her. To be in her comforting presence.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the corners of Melissa’s lips curved into a breathtaking smile. “Okay, Floetry, yes.”
With a deep breath and a quick scan of the crowd in front of her, Melissa stepped onto the escalators, willing the flutters in her stomach to settle and her heart not to beat itself out of her chest. She was nervous, though the little voice in the back of her head reminded her she had nothing to worry about. Still, this was new for Melissa, and different. Definitely different.
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