The Orchard Inn

by A. M. Kusi

  Ella was still taking in the grand house when the focal point of the room caught her attention. It was a large abstract painting, and it took Ella’s breath away. The way the colors swirled and darted across the canvas elicited such an emotional response. No art had ever touched her or affected her so deeply. She felt in awe of the painting’s beauty.

  “My sister’s friend painted that,” he said, pointing to the artist’s signature at the bottom, Isa.

  “It’s the most beautiful painting I have ever seen. I don’t even know exactly why, but it just…” Ella broke her gaze and looked down, embarrassed as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

  “It just what?” River pressed, taking her hand in his and lifting her chin to look at him.

  “It’s silly,” Ella dismissed.

  River dropped her hand so he could press both of his to the sides of her face and kiss her lips before asking, “What is it?”

  Ella felt like she was boneless, and the only thing keeping her from becoming a puddle on the floor were his arms holding her up. “It’s me. The painting…it just feels like me.”

  River smiled. “Maybe that’s why I liked it so much.”

  Ella laughed as his hands dropped down to her waist. “What is on the agenda for today? I hope it includes lunch because I’m hungry.”

  It was River’s turn to laugh. “Well, we can go for lunch in the commons if you want, and then take a ride in the swan boats? Maybe see the city?”

  Ella smiled. “Sounds great.”

  River called an Uber to take them to lunch. Then they walked around the city, enjoying the swan boat ride as promised. Ella got to see all the beautiful parts that he obviously loved so much.

  For a top executive, River seemed so down to earth. Ella had wondered how River would be in his natural element. So far, he was the same, and that brought her a sense of security.

  They returned to River’s house by three o’clock.

  “I wondered if you would be interested in watching me play soccer today? There’s a league that I’m in and tonight, practice is at six. We don’t have to go,” River assured her.

  Ella smiled. “Yes! I want to see you play.”

  “Okay, I’ll get changed, you eat something, and we’ll leave at five thirty. Maybe order a pizza when we get home. Sound good?”

  “Perfect.”

  River smiled and hugged her before running upstairs.

  Ella walked into the kitchen, admiring the white linoleum floors and cream cabinets. She looked at the grocery list and photos on the stainless steel refrigerator. There was one of him with his soccer league friends, and another of her looking off into the distance at the view on their hike. She felt a flutter in her stomach.

  She opened the fridge and helped herself to leftover takeaway. Ella looked around the room while she ate the cold Chinese food and noticed the espresso machine on his counter sitting next to a brand-new box of organic peppermint tea. She picked it up.

  “I got it for you. I know you love your tea,” River said, entering the kitchen.

  She smiled and set it back down, touched that he’d bought it specifically for her. “Thank you.”

  “I could also make a latte, but it doesn’t taste the same as yours.”

  “That’s because,” Ella said, walking up to whisper her secret in his ear, “I make my own coconut milk instead of using regular milk.”

  He laughed. “Is that your secret?” he asked, meeting her eyes.

  “Yes. I like to make it extra frothy and add a dash of salt.”

  He laughed again. “I never would have guessed.”

  “It’s good though, isn’t it?” she asked.

  “Not as good as this,” River said, as he pulled Ella into another kiss.

  She didn’t want this one to end. Yes, she wanted to see him running around the field, sweaty and glistening like the god he was, but she would be just as happy staying here, making out with him all night.

  River kissed her forehead before breaking the embrace to make her tea, and a coffee for himself.

  When they arrived at the soccer fields, River proudly introduced her to his teammates and best friends. Ella met Jax; he was taller than River and broader. Jax was attractive, but no one could hold a candle to how she felt about River. While Jax was friendly to her, she noticed he seemed impatient in the way he spoke to River, and avoided meeting his eyes. She wondered if that was normal behavior for him. Ethan had been friendlier, asking Ella about the inn. He had an accent that was difficult for her to pinpoint. When she asked about it, he told her his family had immigrated from Ghana, Africa.

  Jax rushed them onto the field to warm up, and River gave her a kiss before running off to join his team. Ella took a seat on one of the benches alongside the field where some of the other girlfriends and wives sat. She didn’t know a lot about soccer, so while she watched River, she listened to the women enthusiastically yelling their critiques and encouragement to the players. River had told her he would be playing as a defender, which meant that he was there to support the midfielders and help guard the goalie.

  Ella watched River come alive while he played and joked with his friends. She saw a competitive and even more of a playful side to him, and she liked it. At one point, he pulled off his shirt. She admired the view of every muscle at work in his upper body. She licked her lips and tried to contain the carnal need that had pent up over the last two months, or seven years, if she was being truly honest.

  After practice, River used an app to order pizza and have it delivered so that it would be there when they got back to his house. They waved goodbye to his friends and arrived just as the delivery man pulled up at 8:45. River grabbed the pizza and tipped the man before opening the door to let Ella in. He told her to get started while he quickly showered.

  River’s smell had permeated the whole car, that woodsy, musky man scent, and she loved it. When he came down, freshly clean, Ella was happy to see he’d left his shirt off and only wore a pair of pajama bottoms. His pants hung low enough so that she could see the defined V with a happy trail of dark hair running from his belly button into his pants. Ella’s mind wandered to what he would look like without them.

  Having already finished two pieces of pizza, she excused herself to shower, needing to regain her composure and refresh herself after the long day.

  Ella showered and brushed her teeth. Opening her suitcase, she opted for her usual sleep clothes: a grey tee and black boy shorts. She would be spending the night in River’s room, as if she had ever had a question in her mind. She needed to be in his arms and craved his body.

  She exited the bathroom and saw River get up from the bed where he had been waiting. His eyes wafted hungrily from her naked feet, all the way up to her face. He caressed her body with his gaze; the tension in the room grew thick. Ella had awoken the predator, and she was delighted to be his prey. She could see his jaw tense as he tried to keep ahold of himself. She wondered what would happen if he relinquished control tonight.

  It excited her to think about how he would feel inside of her—as part of her.

  “I want to be close to you tonight.” As she walked up to him, she felt the heat in her body rise, a fever with only one cure.

  River put one hand gently to the side of her face, nodding. Ella’s lips parted in invitation. River kissed her cheek, surprising her, moving over to plant his kisses on the other, her forehead, her nose, and behind her ear on her tattoo. Ella felt her heart bursting from his gentle sensual mouth. Her skin burned from his touch, yearning for his closeness to completely envelope her.

  River moved his lips, trailing down her neck with soft, fluttery kisses and torturous nips. Ella let out a moan as she felt his rough stubble against her face and neck. River’s hands tightened around her as he drew her closer. His mouth moved back to hers, teasing her with his tongue at the edges of her mouth. Ell
a reached out and pulled his face closer, her hot mouth molding to his. Her sweetness mixed with his musk. His kiss assuring her that oxygen was less important than the dance of their tongues.

  Ella pulled him on top of her as she laid on the bed, feeling his hardness grow against her softness as his weight settled on top of her.

  He groaned as Ella explored his muscled arms and chest with her hands and lips. River moved his palm to her knee, then slowly moved up her thigh around to her butt, squeezing her closer to him. She felt like she couldn’t get enough. With each kiss, she wanted more. River was her drug, and she wanted him like she had never wanted anything else in her life.

  Ella felt his hands exploring her body, feeling only slightly self-conscious. When his hands traveled over the scars, she tensed. River must have sensed her apprehension because he moved his mouth down to her thighs, planting kisses wherever he could find a mark. Ella’s eyes grew watery with unshed tears. In River’s arms, she felt safe with a man for the first time in her life. And right now, she wanted him. It felt right, even if it was only going to be this once. Even if it didn’t last.

  River sat and lifted her shirt a few inches but paused, asking permission. Ella nodded and held her arms up. The shirt was tossed onto the floor, and he took in the sight of Ella below him in nothing but the black underwear. Her mouth felt swollen and her eyes were half-lidded with lust. Ella licked her lips and pulled at his belt. He stripped down to his snug black boxer briefs and she gasped.

  Ella took in every toned inch of the beautiful god hovering above her. She wanted him on top of her. She wanted him all over her. Ella reached up and pulled him onto herself. Skin against skin. His mouth met hers again and she felt drunk from his kisses. If a woman could have an orgasm just from kissing, this would be the man to do it.

  River broke away, and she audibly protested. He smirked, and Ella felt the heat pool between her thighs. He kissed her neck as his hands slipped over her breasts. She moaned. River continued his descent, his mouth replacing his hands on the sensitive buds. He bit down lightly as his hands trailed underneath the thin fabric of her panties. Ella arched her back in pleasure. He was teasing her, and she needed release.

  “Please?” Ella begged. She wanted him inside of her.

  River stopped and looked in her eyes. “I promise I’m going to take care of you. You asked for slow. This is slow.”

  Ella’s body wanted to protest and convince the sexy half-naked man on top of her that she truly was ready, but her heart fell in love with the fact that he was putting her needs above his own. No man had ever done that for her in the bedroom before. Seeing this powerful man on his knees before her, with the sole purpose of bringing her pleasure, made her feel like a goddess. Her breath hitched, and a single tear escaped her eye as River focused on making her feel incredible. His hands worked in tandem with his mouth, bringing her to the brink of pleasure.

  She heard him groan before he said, “You taste sweeter than I imagined.”

  Ella completely lost all sense of everything and anything. She had no awareness of time or the world around her; all that existed was a swirling vortex of ecstasy. The only sound she heard was his voice as pleasure erupted from her body.

  As she reached the height of her climax, Ella saw stars.

  Chapter 21

  They had fallen asleep after River had given her not one, but three orgasms. Ella hadn’t known her body was capable of more than one, but it certainly was a pleasurable way to find out. Their time together had been more than carnal and physical. He offered her something much deeper in his touches and respect for her body: intimacy.

  Ella smiled, blushing as she remembered the events of the night before. She felt safe and loved with his arms weaved around her as he held her close to his heart. She knew it was true; she did love River. And for the first time in her life, that thought didn’t scare her. River had proved to her that he was worthy of her trust.

  He shifted, pulling Ella’s warmth tighter against him as he wriggled and yawned. “Good morning, beautiful,” he said, as he did every morning whether in a text or in person.

  Ella never got tired of hearing the daily endearment. “Morning, handsome,” she said.

  “Hungry?” he asked, looking at the alarm clock by his bed before turning back to kiss her neck. His rough stubble scratched her skin, teasing her body with vivid memories.

  “Sure.”

  “How about a shower first?” he asked, pulling away and looking in her eyes.

  Ella saw the green pools darken with want as he bit his lip and ran his hand up her thigh. She smiled and nodded her approval. River grinned mischievously and ran his hands to her neck, playfully tickling.

  Ella’s neck snapped down in panic as her body froze. River took her reaction to mean that she was indeed ticklish and moved to tease the sensitive flesh under her arm, smiling and laughing until he noticed Ella’s stricken face and the vacant look her in her eyes.

  “No!” she yelled.

  He stopped abruptly. “Ella? Ella, are you okay?”

  She was brought back to the present by his voice and she couldn’t stop the tears falling from her eyes. She covered her face with her hands, embarrassed at her overreaction but feeling violated at the same time.

  River reached out to her shoulder, trying to comfort her. “Baby, I’m sorry. What did I do? Are you upset about last night?” he asked, sounding at a loss.

  Ella pulled away, wanting his touch, but knowing she needed privacy to get a hold of herself and avoid a panic attack. She got up and ran into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She listened for a moment, trying to calm her rapid heartbeat. She heard River run down the stairs before she turned the shower on.

  Ella had calmed down after a hot shower and time to herself. She didn’t know how to explain what had happened to River, but she knew he deserved for her to try.

  She took the towel from her head and wrapped it around her body before walking into the bedroom. She saw River look up with a worried expression as he reached for a cup on the bedside table. Ella took the warm mug and saw he had made her a peppermint tea. In that small act of care she felt the familiar comforting wave rush over her as she fell a little more in love with him. Ella took a sip before setting the mug back on the table and taking a seat on the bed next to him.

  “Ella—” River started to speak, but she interrupted him with a hand on his chest.

  She turned to face him, swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat, “Let me explain. You cannot ever tickle me,” she said firmly.

  “I won’t. I promise. I’m sorry, I had no idea. Did I hurt you?” River asked, seeming concerned.

  “Not exactly. Tickling is a trigger for me.” Ella took a breath and forced herself to look in his eyes as she spoke. “Before…I would be held down, overpowered, and tickled until I couldn’t breathe. I was helpless and gasping for breath, but unable to get it. I felt like I was suffocating. I was usually left with bruises. When I get tickled now, I am brought right back to those feelings of helplessness and panic.” She saw his green eyes darken to something unreadable, and continued, “I know you would never do that to me or try to hurt me,” she assured him, stroking his arm with her hand.

  River turned and opened his arms to her, pulling her tight against his warm chest. “I’m so sorry, baby. I hate that I made you feel that way after we spent such a beautiful night together.”

  “It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know,” Ella said, pulling back to look in his eyes. She lifted her chin and brought her lips to his. There was comfort in his kiss, and she wanted to drink from this life-giving fountain for as long as he would let her. “Why don’t I make us some breakfast while you shower?”

  River agreed and headed for the bathroom, while Ella changed and made her way to the kitchen with her tea in hand. She loved the little things he did. Somehow they shot straight through the wall
s that had once protected her heart. Those walls were crumbling now. The more time she spent with River, the more she felt herself open up to not only him, but life.

  She saw the concern on his face when he walked into the kitchen. He rubbed the back of his neck and took a seat in front of the plate she’d prepared for him at the bar.

  “Mr. Parker?” she asked, trying to make light of the situation and see him smile.

  The side of River’s mouth turned up in a tentative half-smile. “Yes?”

  I love you. But instead she said aloud, “What did you have planned for today?”

  “Well, I figured you could use a down day. We could relax around here and then go out for dinner tonight?” River asked.

  “That sounds good to me.”

  River cleared his throat as he shifted nervously in his chair. “My mother and father offered to take us out to dinner. They want to meet you. Are you up for that?”

  Ella felt the anxiety in her stomach churn and grow. “Isn’t that kind of fast? You want me to meet your parents?”

  “They are leaving for Japan for a month and wanted to have dinner with me before they left. I can wait and do it tomorrow night, but they asked to meet you. I can also tell them ‘maybe next time,’” River offered.

  Ella thought about it. She didn’t want to say no and have his parents already have a strike against her. Then she wondered why she cared so much about what his parents thought of her. “I can do dinner,” Ella said.

  River smiled. “My mom will be ecstatic. She has been pestering me with questions about you and my time at the inn.”

  “You told her about us?”

  “She guessed I was seeing someone; said I was acting different. I think she wants to meet the person responsible for this version of her son,” River said, motioning to himself.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You will have to ask her; I honestly don’t know except that I am the happiest I have ever been in my life since meeting you,” River said, placing his hand over hers on the table next to him.