“Did you do the decorating yourself?” she asked, her resolve to resist evaporating more by the minute. He trailed kisses from the nape of her neck down to her shoulder, igniting her sex.
“Actually, my mom helped me decide to do an Italian theme and did much of the decorating. She has a flair for it,” he said, taking his magic fingers off her shoulders. “I thought we could dine al fresco this evening,” he said, motioning to the large terrace as he handed her a glass of wine.
“Sounds perfect. It’s a beautiful evening. Do you need any help with dinner?” Her nerves were getting the better of her.
“No, I have everything under control. You relax, my beauty. We’ll eat in a few minutes.”
“What’s for dinner?”
“We’re having Caesar salad and shrimp scampi. I still have the cheesecake for dessert.”
“Sounds delicious. I’m famished. We had a busy day.”
“I had a busy day too,” he said, taking her hand and leading her out to the terrace. He’d already set the table with fine china and linens. She was impressed with his domestic abilities.
“I’ll be back in a moment with our dinner. Please sit down here,” he said, squeezing her hand. She saw a beautifully wrapped package on the table next to the spot where she was sitting.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“Open it and find out,” he said, nuzzling her cheek with his nose. She sat down on the cushioned chair and began to open the extravagant package. Neil went back inside to dish up their food. He returned with a tray containing a large salad bowl and another bowl with the shrimp scampi. He put salad on each of their plates and served the scampi. Water and his wine were already on the table.
“Everything looks so delicious.”
“I hope it will be to your liking,” he said, drinking her in. Somehow she felt he was talking about something other than the food.
“I’m sure it will be. You strike me as someone who does everything well.”
He motioned to the gift. “You haven’t finished opening your gift yet. But before you do, I want to make a toast.”
Kate lifted her wine glass, as did Neil.
“Here’s to getting to know each other better.” They clinked glasses and each took a sip.
“You shouldn’t be giving me a gift,” she said.
“It’s something you’re going to need tonight. I didn’t want to be presumptuous,” he said, his eyes dark with unbridled lust, causing her to squirm in her seat. Her eyes became big as she saw the shimmery bikini she’d been eyeing from Everything but Water. Underneath it was a fluffy bathrobe.
She looked him in the eyes with her mouth open. “How did you know I wanted this particular bikini?” Before he could answer, recognition came over her. “Nat! I was wondering why she couldn’t go to lunch with me today.”
“Yeah, I called her on Friday to get her help. I have a Jacuzzi and I didn’t want to assume you’d soak in it with me without a swimsuit—you know, since I promised to be a perfect gentleman. Natalie met me at the store during her lunch break and showed me the one you liked. She also told me you’d want a robe. I found this one at Macy’s. I thought it went nicely with the colors in the swimsuit,” he said, picking up his fork. “Do you like it, Kate?”
“Yes, I love it. It’s so thoughtful of you, but it’s really too expensive,” she said, taking a small bite of pasta. “Neil…this is delicious. You’re an excellent cook,” she said before taking a sip of wine.
“Thank you, and it’s not too expensive. I can afford it,” he said, taking her hand and kissing it. She felt a charge go through her as his lips touched her hand.
“When I saw this bikini a few weeks ago, I wanted to buy it, but it was out of my budget. Spotting it in the window brought me back to when I was a little girl. My family and I lived in Hawaii then. It was the only time I can remember my parents being happy together; the only time I can remember my family being together. My parents separated when I was seven, but I have vivid memories of going to the beach with my mom, dad, and younger brother. It was so much fun. It has become a really important memory for me.”
Neil reached over to caress her face.
“Playing in the waves, I’d imagine I was a beautiful mermaid. I always wanted to be a mermaid because I loved the ocean so much, and this bikini with the colors and sequins is reminiscent of that to me. The moment I saw it, it took me back to a simpler time in my life. A happy time before life got messy. I kept checking on it, waiting for it to go on sale. I can’t believe you bought it for me, but it’s really too much,” she said, her eyes tearing up.
He took her hand and kissed it again. “No, it’s not too much. I want to spoil you. Please accept it. I want you to have it.”
She nodded, suddenly too emotional to say anything else.
“I hope you don’t think I was overstepping my bounds by contacting your friend Natalie,” he said.
She got up from her chair, took his face in her hands, and bent down to gently kiss him on the lips. “No, this is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
His return gaze was intense, and she could see the longing in his eyes. She sat back down and they continued eating for a few moments in silence. Little by little, she was letting him into her heart, and she was sure her desire to be transparent with him was growing with each minute she spent with him.
“So, do your folks both live in San Diego?” he asked.
“My mom does, but my dad lives in Florida.”
“How often do you get to see him? That’s pretty far away.”
“Actually, I haven’t seen him since I was fourteen,” she said.
“Really? What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“We had a falling out because I asked him why he didn’t pay more child support. We really struggled for a long time. My mom didn’t have a great job and the court only ordered my dad to pay two hundred and fifty dollars a month. Not much for two kids. Anyway, when I turned fifteen, I started working to help support my family and the money I made bridged the gap for us. We were able to make ends meet then.”
“Wow. You had to be so responsible from such an early age. It sounds like you gave up a lot of your childhood.”
“I had no choice. My mom and brother needed me, and my dad wasn’t there for us. I grew up feeling like my dad didn’t care if we suffered. The worst part was he had plenty of money; he moved it to another family member’s bank account and quit working so he wouldn’t have to pay much in child support. He was really bitter toward my mom for divorcing him and ended up taking it out on his children.” The sorrow soaked her words.
“I’m so sorry. That must have been so difficult for you,” he said, stroking her arm just as she had stroked his the night before. “Your dad’s the one missing out. You’re an amazing young woman.” Then he leaned in and kissed her on the lips. Her body responded immediately. She could feel a slight pulsing between her legs. While stroking her thigh, he continued trailing kisses on her neck. “I thought we could soak in the hot tub and then have some dessert,” he said between kisses.
“That sounds very relaxing,” she murmured.
“There’s a bathroom down the hall for you to change into your bikini,” he whispered in her ear. She could feel his breath against her hair. It felt heavenly to have him this close to her. He stood up to show her to the bathroom.
“See you in a moment,” he said, his eyes locked on hers. “I’ll get the jets started.”
“I’ll be right out,” she said as he closed the door, leaving her alone to change.
Oh God, I am such a mess! He’s so sexy and he knows the effect he’s having on me. She put on the bikini, and because she’d tried it on at the store while she was shopping with Natalie one day, and Nat knew her size, it was a perfect fit. She checked herself in the mirror from different angles. Well, it’s a bikini. It doesn’t cover much. Wrapping herself up in the cozy robe, her body was concealed for the moment. The night air had turned cool a
nd she’d need it when she got out of the Jacuzzi to keep warm. However, she had a feeling Neil was going to do everything in his power to ensure her warmth sans the robe, and she suddenly felt alive with sensation. She felt ready for this.
She got a hair tie out of her purse to put her hair up. She walked out onto the terrace. The sun was beginning to set and the ripples of the ocean glistened. Neil was sitting on the edge of the hot tub, his feet dangling in the bubbling water.
Kate couldn’t take her eyes off of his god-like physique. His body was strong and muscular—it was clear he must work out a lot to have those amazing abs. His shoulders were broad, his arms cut, and his pecs were firm. What a specimen of perfection. He was an Adonis. And he wanted her.
As she approached, he slipped into the tub. “I Want to be Your Man” by Zapp and Roger was playing in the background. The music was sultry, the perfect song for the moment. He held his hand out to her, his gaze burning right through her. Okay, here goes nothing. Or everything. She loosened the tie on the robe and let it drop to the tiles beneath her feet. Neil let out a small groan. His eyes devoured her body like a lion devoured its prey. As she entered the hot tub and moved toward him, his eyes stayed locked on hers. She wanted to look away because of his intensity, but she couldn’t break free of his gaze. In that second, she knew she’d do anything he asked of her.
“It fits you perfectly,” he murmured in a sexy tone.
“Yeah, it barely covers what it needs to. It doesn’t leave much to the imagination.”
“Who cares about imagination? I’m into reality, and the reality is you’re a beautiful sight to behold,” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her on top of him, her legs straddling his hips. She could feel his erection between her thighs. He was right there. This is so hot. He put his hand on the back of her neck and pulled her mouth to his, consuming her, scouring every part of her mouth. His tongue was like sweet wine, caressing hers. She kissed him back with urgency, burning at the sensation of his hands as they roamed up and down her back. Then she realized he was untying the strap of her bikini top. The two triangular pieces fell forward, revealing her breasts. He stopped kissing her, and after his gaze consumed her breasts, his eyes, his ravenous eyes, met hers. She could feel the tension radiating off him—among other things…
“I know I said I’d be a perfect gentleman. But the truth of the matter is you make me absolutely wild.” His breathing was heavy. “I want you so badly. I want to be your man,” he said, echoing the song. She felt the pulse between her legs heighten as she heard his words. She wanted him desperately too. All she could do was stare into his eyes as words failed her. Putting his hands on each side of her breasts, he pushed them together and began licking one nipple, swirling around in circles, gently nipping and then licking again. Her nipple became erect. Then he moved to the other one, groaning the entire time. She arched her back, pushing her breasts toward him, letting her head fall back. Her hands held onto his shoulders. He was driving her crazy between his sucking and licking. He pulled her head toward his, looking into her eyes.
“You’re so beautiful. Please…” he pleaded. “I want you so much. I want to make love to you.”
“I want to make love to you too,” she said, her words barely audible.
Neil groaned again when he heard her words. He stood up with Kate’s legs wrapped around his hips and her arms around his neck, kissing her again, invading her mouth like it’d be his last breath. He climbed out of the hot tub and carried her up the stairs toward the bedroom. Kate’s heart was pounding against her chest and she could barely breathe. He set her down on the floor, her feet feeling the softness of the carpet beneath them, and then pulled the other string of the top. It fell to the floor. All she was wearing were her bikini bottoms. He took a step back.
“I just want to look at you for a moment. You’re so sexy.”
He put his hands on her waist and slid them down her hips toward her bikini bottoms. He pushed the bottoms toward the floor and got down on his knees. She put her hands on his shoulders to steady herself as she stepped out of them. He inhaled deeply. “Kate…I can’t wait to taste you,” he said, nuzzling her bare mound with his nose. She felt lightheaded from having his hands all over her body. Words escaped her as she waited for him to take control of her body. Control she was eager to relinquish.
“Mm, baby, I’ve been thinking about what you’d taste and feel like all day. I’m going to make you come over and over.”
She quivered hearing his words. Her core was on fire, seeming to have taken on a mind of its own. He slid his fingers between her legs, feeling the delicious wetness being near him had caused. His finger slipped into her ever so slightly, feeling how tight and wet she was.
“God, you’re so wet.” Then he slid his finger forward to her clit, almost making her convulse with pleasure. He pulled his finger away and stuck it in his mouth.
“Oh, you taste sweeter than I imagined,” he murmured.
“Neil…” she said, putting her hands on his face.
“Yeah, baby, talk to me. Tell me what you want,” he said as he stood up. He reached up to cup her breasts, his mouth and tongue trailing down her neck.
“I want to take your swim trunks off,” she said, licking her lips.
“Please do.”
She slid her fingers under the elastic waistband and, as she pulled them down, he made a primal noise. His immense hard-on had been revealed. It had been a while since she’d seen a man in all his glory…she didn’t remember David being so…
She looked up at him, her eyes questioning.
“Don’t worry, baby,” Neil growled. “I won’t hurt you. I promise.” He gently pushed her back onto his bed. Her feet were still on the floor. It was clear he was in charge in the bedroom. This was his domain, and she was more than willing to surrender.
He got down on his knees between her legs, spread her apart, and began licking her clit. She writhed under him with pleasure. His expert tongue began licking her folds as he slid a finger deep inside her. She moaned.
“God, you’re so tight,” he exclaimed, the anticipation rising in his voice.
He kept circling her clit with his tongue while slowly slipping his finger in and out, in and out, in and out. She could barely keep still as she began to feel the molten lava rising between her thighs. Her insides were unfurling and she was on the verge of coming.
“Let yourself go. Come for me,” he commanded. “I want to hear you scream out my name.”
With that, she lost all control and gave in to his words. Her orgasm washed over her like huge waves crashing on the beach. “Oh…God…Neil,” she called out. She was lost in her orgasm. She had never experienced anything like that before. The sex she had with David paled by comparison. She vaguely heard Neil tear open his condom package. He slipped the condom over his hard girth.
He climbed on top of her and began licking and sucking her nipples. More waves crashed over her. He gently began rubbing her clit with his hard tip, moving up and down the entirety of her folds, barely entering and then starting over again by sliding up toward her clit. She moaned as he teased her. She realized he was waiting to make sure she was ready, remembering she was inexperienced.
“Kate…I want you to want me,” he said as he slid into her only partway and then pulled out. She tightened her grip on his arms.
“I do want you,” she whispered.
He went deeper, allowing her to become accustomed to his size, then pulled out again. He continued this over and over again until she couldn’t take it anymore. She grabbed a hold of his tight ass with all her might and pulled him all the way into her, slightly lifting her hips to meet him. He filled her up.
“Does this show you how much I want you?” she asked as she kissed him.
“Oh, yeah, baby,” he said, moving his head toward one of her breasts, flicking her nipple with his tongue as he grinded into her.
Her whole body was on fire. She wanted him like no other. He
drove in and out of her slowly until she began tightening up again.
“You feel so good…” He continued his slow onslaught until she exploded around him again and she knew he could feel her pulsing and squeezing him.
She exhaled loudly. “Oh…Neil.” That was all she could muster. She was lost in her second orgasm, lost in this sexy man who had taken her to a place she’d never been before.
Then, little by little, his pace quickened. She started moving with him. She met his thrusts and loved every second of it. He filled her up and she wanted more—more of him. His eyes stayed locked on hers. Digging her fingernails into his back, she was beginning to feel the familiar pulsing all over again. All of a sudden, she yelled out, “Oh, Neil! You feel so good.” Then she came again, hard. It was exquisite.
“Oh, yeah!” he said and he came, spilling all his pent-up energy inside of her. He began to slow and then stopped, lying on top of her. He kissed her demandingly, devouring her mouth again.
Then he got up on his forearms. He looked into her eyes. “Promise me you won’t make love to anyone else, only me,” he said, his intensity searing into her.
“What?” she asked, uncertain she’d heard him correctly. She was barely lucid.
“I want you to promise me you won’t be like this with anyone else, only me. I want you all to myself. I don’t want you to make love to any other man,” he said, trailing kisses over her face.
“I don’t want to be with anyone else. I want you,” she said, surprising herself. Had she promised herself to him? Was that even possible? In the heat of the moment, she wasn’t sure of anything except she wanted him. They lay joined together for a few moments—neither of them speaking, just being. The connection between them was fierce. She felt like crying. Slowly, he pulled out of her and went to the bathroom to discard his condom.
He returned to the bedroom with a serious look on his face. “God, Kate, when I called you on Wednesday I wasn’t expecting…to feel this way.” Moving toward her, he picked up her hand and placed it on his chest. She could feel his heart beating. “You’ve captured my heart.”
Fallen For You (Killer Next Door #1) Page 10