Follow You Down

by Lazeema Haq

  “You better not be sleeping, Tristan.”

  Hearing the flirtatious tone of her voice, he smiled to himself. “I’m not,” he replied, still not opening his eyes. “Just fantasizing about you and this hot chick I saw earlier.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “Yup. You should see the things she’s doing to you.”

  “And you’re not jealous?”

  “Sharing is caring.”

  “Hope you remember that if I ever run into Colin Farrell.”

  Suddenly he felt her legs brush against his own, and his eyes flew open. She was standing directly in front of him, dressed in a tiny robe that left little to the imagination. He could see the swell of her breasts, the way her nipples strained against the silk fabric and it took every ounce of strength he had not to reach out and rip the robe apart. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, he was getting hard just looking at her, imagining her naked body underneath that flimsy fabric.

  “Tristan?”

  He didn’t answer, mesmerised by the sight of her.

  And then she dropped the robe.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Vesper was naked.

  Completely naked.

  Astoundingly, beautifully, unabashedly naked in front of him.

  He’d fantasized about this moment for such a long time, and now that it was finally here it was as if his brain had shut down and rendered him useless.

  His mouth was dry, cock hard, and though he was dying to touch her he didn’t move. Couldn’t. He could only stare at her intently, taking in every tiny detail about her, etching the image into his brain so he no longer had to use his imagination to ponder her naked body when he jerked off.

  She was all lush curves, with beautiful, full tits that were infinitely better than all of his dreams. And the rest of her… fuck. He couldn’t even fathom how hot she was. And thank the fucking lord she had an actual bush – nothing too crazy or wild but also none of that Brazilian-no-pubes shit which freaked him out.

  The scars she’d confessed to had faded, numerous brown marks no longer meticulously hidden from sight. Although everywhere on her body, they were most prominent on her arms, stomach and thighs, serving as a stark reminder of how she used to hurt herself. Repeatedly, if the sheer volume of them were any indication.

  Fear swept through him, and he glanced at her to reassure himself that she was alright, that these wounds were in the past and she was fine now. “You said you stopped cutting. Did you mean it?” Say yes. Say yes. Say yes.

  “Yes.”

  Relief flowed over him. “Do they hurt?”

  “Not anymore.”

  “Can I touch them?”

  There was trepidation in her eyes. “If you want.”

  Hesitantly he reached out, his fingers gentle as he skimmed along a gash above her belly button. A hushed, sharp breath escaped her. She was tense, her skin practically pulsing against him. Partly to reassure her, and mostly out of curiosity, he leaned closer and kissed along a second scar. Her body seemed to relax a bit, growing more comfortable with his touch. And so he kissed a second scar, and then another and another. These marks were a part of her and he wanted to get to know every inch of who she was.

  *****

  Vesper never felt as strong as she did at that very moment. After years of hiding herself and constantly covering every inch of scarred skin so as not to repel anyone, to be able to stand in front of another person – Tristan – naked like this, it was exhilarating, and incredible, and felt so freeing she wanted to scream with joy. She still remembered the look of revulsion on an ex-boyfriend’s face after he’d discovered her wounds, and although the jerk had tried to cover his reaction she couldn’t get past his disgusted expression. But Tristan wasn’t gazing up at her with repulsion, no, not even close. He was watching her as if in awe, kissing her body like she was extraordinary, and the sheer desire emanating from him set her heart racing, filling her mind with anticipation of what was to come next. Her insides trembled.

  She reached out to cradle his face; his skin was warm to the touch, so very soft, and when she pulled him close he curved his arms around her waist and rested his cheek on her stomach. He held her tightly in his arms, and she began to stroke through the strands of his hair.

  All of a sudden he stirred, leaning back to look up at her and his fierce blue eyes were filled with passion. She didn’t know why he wasn’t making a move, but her body was craving his touch and she needed him with a desperation that was almost frightening. Unwinding his arms from around her waist, she took his hands and raised them to cover her breasts, sending him a small smile when he cocked his eyebrow in return.

  There he was, her Tristan, with the wicked spark in his eyes and the teasing smile, who expertly cupped her breasts. Her breathing grew ragged, her head lolled back, and she dug her fingers into his shoulders for support as his tongue flicked over her nipples. His hands found their way down her back, gripping her ass, as he continued to assault her senses with rough kisses and tender caresses.

  In the past she’d never worried about her own pleasure, only focusing on her partner because she’d never felt comfortable enough to be truly intimate with anyone. Sex wasn’t just a physical act for her, it meant losing control over her body and emotions, the very reason she’d turned to cutting in the first place. She needed to truly trust a person to even consider opening herself up like that, and never felt strongly enough about anyone to do that. Until now.

  For the first time, Vesper actually wanted to share herself with someone. With Tristan.

  *****

  Tristan pulled her towards him so she was kneeling on the couch, snuggled between his legs. He traced the contour of her face with his index finger, nipped her chin lightly, felt her body tremble against his touch.

  Fuck. He wanted to tell her she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, but he couldn’t speak, couldn’t breathe. She was in his arms, crying out and moaning for more, her nails wrapped around his neck, her knees tantalisingly brushing against his cock which made him even more excited.

  “Tristan, I….”

  Vesper’s voice trailed off, caught between pleasure and uncertainty, and her faltering doubt finally cut through the powerful daze he was in. “You what? What do you want, Vesper?” He slipped his hand in between her thighs to stroke her pussy. She jumped in response but he held on to her tighter, caressing her folds with his fingers. “Say it, Vesper,” he demanded as her body shook violently in his embrace.

  Suddenly she cupped his face in a firm grip, almost painfully so, and rested her forehead against his. The potent desire in her eyes gave him the answer he was seeking, but then she spoke anyway, surprising him with her seductive tone after her earlier hesitation. “Think it’s time you reciprocated, don’t you?”

  His mouth latched onto hers, kissing her with a fierceness that left them both panting for air.

  *****

  Vesper gasped with surprise when Tristan suddenly picked her up and moved her to the floor, settling in between her legs. The rug rubbed against her back, the friction causing her discomfort but the pain disappeared when his lips started skimming all over her body. There was no more anxiety or nervousness, only the keen sensation of his mouth roaming down her stomach, her thighs, biting the insides gently, lingering over her past hurts and leaving wet kisses on them.

  It was excruciating, this incredible haze of lust and ecstasy. She writhed below him and groaned for more and so he snuck his hands underneath her hips, tugging at her silently to hook her legs over his shoulder, and raised her hips to his mouth.

  Without any warning his lips closed over the most sensitive part of her, languidly caressing her folds, opening her up with his tongue, tasting her, licking her. He didn’t touch her clit directly, only teasing her, getting her ready, and then after what felt like forever
his tongue flicked over her clit, sucking on the nub, then tapping it gently with his finger.

  He took his time with her, working her sensuously with his mouth, bringing her closer to the edge a little bit more every time but always finding a way to prolong the intense sensation. She was climbing the highest of the high, towards the orgasm she’d always wanted to experience with another person but never had – when her body finally convulsed, reaching its powerful climax. Waves of exquisite pleasure struck her like a bolt of lightning.

  Tristan, however, wasn’t done with her yet.

  As she lay there enjoying the small spasms that swept through her body, he continued on, this time using his fingers on her. He was tender at first, slipping one finger inside her wetness, probing her, testing her to see if she was ready for him, and then he curved another finger inside her, and she screamed at how incredibly erotic that felt. Enveloped in her tightness, he fucked her hard and fast, gently and slowly with his fingers, murmuring things to her that would normally make her blush but now heightened her arousal.

  Despite the release that surged through her, something still felt strange… and she realised it was that she needed Tristan to look at her, to kiss her, because that was how they always connected with each other. It took every bit of energy she had, but Vesper managed to balance herself on her elbows and call out to him. “Tristan.”

  He crawled up her body until he was looming above, watching her with a hunger that left her feeling more exposed and vulnerable than she already was. He grazed her temple, and skimmed his lips across her eyelids, dropping a gentle peck on the tip of her nose before he finally closed his mouth over hers.

  He brought her to climax once again, this time with his fingers, and throughout it all his gaze was fixed upon her, making the experience even more intimate between them.

  They shared a sweet kiss after, one filled with incredible affection. She touched his lips with her fingers, and traced the smile on his face, and it was at that very moment she realised she was really, and truly, falling in love with him.

  *****

  For a long time they lay on the floor, curled up on their sides and facing each other. They didn’t say anything, instead enjoying the quiet, content atmosphere between them. Occasionally he reached out to caress her breast with his free hand, or smooth his fingers over her clavicle, or nip her skin to tease her. In turn she gave him soft, tender kisses while whispering sweet nothings in his ear.

  His wool sweater was draped over her body, barely covering anything. A part of her still had difficulty believing she was this comfortable around Tristan. Just thinking about the difference in her own demeanour brought a smile to her face.

  After a few minutes, however, her thoughts reluctantly turned to the realisation she’d had earlier about her feelings for him. Could it be possible she really was in love with him? Vesper didn’t know. While it was true she’d never trusted another guy as much as she did Tristan, she still hesitated to call her feelings love. The idea of being that vulnerable with anyone was terrifying to her, and she didn’t want to associate those unpleasant emotions with what she shared with Tristan.

  Giving herself a mental shake, Vesper forced herself to snap out of her troubled thoughts. It had taken her such a long time to get to this place of contentment with Tristan, and she was determined to enjoy it.

  “Now who’s smiling like a dork?” he asked, tracing the shape of her mouth with his finger.

  She shrugged her shoulders. “I’m happy.”

  “Yeah?”

  His eyes lit up with relief, puzzling her. “Why are you surprised?”

  “I don’t know. I just….” He regarded her intently, seeking answers to questions he refused to share.

  “What is it?” she prodded, cupping his face.

  He kissed her palm, holding on to her hand while he shifted to lie on his back. His eyes were glued to the ceiling, stroking her hand intermittently. “I know I’m going to fuck this up somehow.”

  Knowing exactly how he felt as she worried about doing the very same thing, her heart squeezed with concern. Climbing on top of him, she forced him to look up at her. “Stop it. I don’t want to hear that crap.”

  He cocked his eyebrow, his eyes daring her to argue with him. “You know it’s true.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  A smile curved across his face. “Well then, I guess you’re not as smart as I thought you were.”

  “That’s perfect since you’re acting pretty idiotic yourself.”

  He chuckled, but she could still sense the doubt in him.

  “Tristan, we don’t really know anything for sure. I used to think I would never trust someone enough to let them–”

  “Go down on you?” he interjected with a mischievous grin.

  “Yes, whatever. I didn’t think I would ever show anyone these scars, but then I met you….

  “And?” he prodded.

  “And I’m just now realising I don’t know anything. Because I’m here, with you, in a way I never thought I could be.” Leaning down, she brushed her lips against his. “Is it possible you’ll fuck up? Yeah, sure. I can screw things up too. But we can’t go nuts worrying over that.”

  “No regrets about tonight?”

  His fingers lingered along the length of her spine, making her shiver in response. “None at all,” she whispered, shifting down on him so she could suck the sensitive corner in the crook of his neck.

  He exhaled a sharp breath, and his fingers tightened around her. “I don’t ever want to hurt you.”

  “I know. You won’t. I trust you.”

  “Where did all this sudden faith in me come from?” he teased. “That isn’t like you.”

  “Can’t a girl be a little less cynical without having to explain herself?” she murmured, nipping and kissing his chest as she slowly crawled down his body.

  “Yes, but only when she does that thing with her mouth that I really like.”

  Straddling him, Vesper started to undo the zipper on his jeans. “Consider yourself lucky then, Winthrop,” she said, returning his wicked smile before stroking his cock over the black boxers he was wearing. He responded instantly to her touch, growing harder. “Because she really likes it too.”

  *****

  “How are things going with your dad?”

  Vesper had been meaning to broach the topic for a few weeks but since Tristan obviously didn’t like discussing it, she left it alone. Tonight, however, they had taken a huge step forward in their relationship. Maybe he would, hopefully, be more open.

  His head moved from her chest to the pillow next to her, his voice distant. “His engagement announcement was in the papers yesterday.”

  She reached out to stroke her index finger down the length of his arm. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. He should be the one who’s sorry. And he will be.”

  “What does that mean?”

  He shrugged off her touch. “I don’t want to talk about this.”

  “I think you should. It might make you feel better.”

  Right away there was a hostile glint in his eyes, but it disappeared a second later. “Vesper, when you tell me to back off, I do. I don’t push you into anything you’re not ready for. Don’t you think owe me the same?”

  Although irritated, she knew he was right. He was patient with her when it came to her issues. “Sorry, I’ll drop it.”

  “Thank you,” he smiled and leaned forward to graze her temple. “Besides, I don’t want to ruin tonight by talking about him. I can think of so much more interesting things to do with our time.”

  “I bet,” she grinned.

  “Want to go with me to London?”

  “Sure. Let’s just hop on the jet right now,” she teased.

  “I meant on the weekend. I have to
be there for work for a conference and you can keep me company. It’ll only be for two weeks.”

  She pursed her lips with disappointment. “I have a few midterms next week.”

  He eyed her suspiciously. “Do you really?”

  “Of course. Why would I lie?”

  “Maybe because you get really weird about money.”

  “Come on, I’m not that bad.”

  “Whatever.” He wove his fingers through hers and gave her hand a tight squeeze. “You don’t have to worry about paying for it. I’m not even paying for it. It’s covered by work.”

  “Honestly, if I could go I would. But I can’t skip midterms, you know that.”

  He exhaled a dramatic sigh. “Can’t you quit school and work and just be my sex slave for the rest of your life?”

  “Sure. If you do the same.”

  “We can’t both be sex slaves. One has to dole out the orders, the other follows ‘em.”

  “Oh, so you expect me to do your bidding?

  “‘Damn right.”

  “And what if I don’t do what you say, huh? You’ll start whipping me?”

  “You sound a little excited there, babe. Is that what you want? Me smacking your ass with belts and whips? Or is it spoons and forks?”

  She giggled at the image. “No. No to all of those.”

  “Good. Because beating women doesn’t do anything for me.”

  She smiled. “I know.”

  “Maybe I’ll quit my job too,” he played along.

  “Good. Then we can both be poor and homeless together.”