by Ella Jade
“There’s no other place I’d rather be.”
A smile lit up his face, his jaw relaxed, and the warmth returned to his eyes. He held the door for me as I entered the cozy pub.
“Senator.” Miles greeted him once we were inside.
“Miles.” The tall man put his phone in his pocket and turned to face us. “I see you found your companion.”
“Jacob, this is my girlfriend, Dr. Kirsten Dunlap.”
His girlfriend? Did he mean that or did he not know how to introduce me? Either way, I liked the sound of it. I hated to admit this but I liked his possessive nature a few moments ago too.
Miles stared into my eyes before finishing his introduction. “Kirsten, this is Senator Braxton.”
“Dr. Dunlap,” the senator said. “Nice to meet you. Miles has told me much about you.”
“Please, call me Kirsten. I apologize for keeping you waiting, Senator.” I shook his hand. “I got held up.”
“Jacob and don’t apologize. Miles told me about your thriving practice here in the city.”
“Where is your wife?” Miles asked as he glanced around the crowded bar area.
“We got a table.” He motioned toward the dining room. “I came out to make a quick call. Shall we go in?”
“Of course.” Miles took my hand as we followed Jacob into the quaint dining area. He leaned into my ear and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Acting like a barbarian on the way over here. I was out of line.”
“I liked it.” I winked. “We can talk later.”
“I look forward to it.”
***
Miles
Dinner took much longer than I would have liked. The evening hadn’t started off as I had envisioned. I never expected to find Ross in Kirsten’s office. I’d been playing her game and following her lead these past couple months, but if he was moving in on my territory, I had to make my feelings known. I wouldn’t lose her.
“The senator and his wife are a lovely couple.”
“They were taken with you.” I removed my jacket and loosened my tie. “You were quite dazzling, and I would bet that you were part of the reason he has asked me to represent him in his next senate race.”
“That’s wonderful but you sealed that deal all by yourself.”
“You helped.” I was honored to have her by my side tonight. “Can I get you anything?”
“I’m fine.” She slid off her shoes, placing them in the foyer. “But I’d be better if you took me upstairs.”
“You don’t want to talk first?” I wondered what her thoughts were about my alley confession.
“Not really.” She took my hand and drew me closer to the stairs, kissing my jaw as she undid my tie. “You don’t want to talk either.”
“No, I have to be honest.” I lifted her into my arms and carried her up the steps. “I don’t want to talk.” Our lips on one another the whole way up. Touching, tasting, lusting. “Not now.”
Once we reached my bedroom, I set her by the bed, eager to take her clothes off. I turned her to face the mirror as I kissed her neck, lowering the zipper on the back of her dress.
“Lesson number nine, tell me what you want.”
“I want you.”
“You’re going to get me.” I removed her dress, stepping back to admire her sexy black bra and panty set. “But tell me what you want.” I slipped off my shoes and socks before unbuckling my belt.
She slid the tie from my neck. As she unbuttoned my shirt, she trailed her lips along my throat. “Kiss me.”
I took her face between my hands, leaning into her, but she pressed her fingers to my lips.
“Not there.” A wicked grin graced her lips.
“You dirty girl.” I pushed her onto the bed, spreading her legs as I dropped to my knees. “Do you want to be kissed here?” I ran my lips along her belly as I slipped my hands under her back. “How about here?” I licked her inner thigh. “Maybe here?” I tugged her panties down her legs and tossed them on the floor.
“Ah...” She arched off the bed when I traced the tip of my tongue along her slit. “Miles.” When she ran her fingers through my hair, I rocked my hips into the side of the bed.
“Is this what you wanted?” I opened my mouth and kissed her hot, wet sex. My tongue darting in and out of her, creating a pleasurable pace.
“Miles!”
I almost came in my pants when she sat up, keeping her fingers laced in my hair as she lifted her hips, moving in time with me. Taking her leg, I tossed it over my shoulder as I increased the speed of my actions. I had to get inside her but I wanted to bring her to climax first. As her muscles tightened, her breathing turned to long, slow pants. Lifting my gaze, I watched as she dropped back onto the bed.
“Fuck,” she screamed out.
Slithering my way up her naked flesh, I unhooked her bra, revealing those luscious boobs. Swirling my tongue along her nipple, I circled my fingers inside her slick core.
“I need more than your fingers,” she breathed out. “Please.” She clawed at my shirt until I helped her take it off.
“I’m about ready to explode for you.” I pushed my pants down my hips and over my thighs, freeing my erection. “I don’t think I’m ever going to get the image of you pleasing yourself on my face out of my head.” I kicked off my pants. “Ever.”
“What can I say?” She spread her legs when I took her hands and held them above her head. “You inspired me.”
“You inspire me on a daily basis.” I kissed her neck as I slowly entered her. “I’ve never been this inspired.”
When she looked into my eyes, I hoped she believed me. I vowed to myself that I’d keep trying. Whatever it took, I would own this woman’s heart. She already had mine. Releasing her hands, I propped myself onto my forearms, so that I could take in her gorgeous face. Every time I moved inside her, she bit her bottom lip, licking where her teeth had indented.
“You’re so sexy.” I kissed her, biting the corner of her mouth.
She wrapped her arms around my neck, bringing me closer to her. As she gazed into my eyes, I wanted to tell her how much I wanted her. How much I needed her in my life.
“Miles.” She clenched around my cock, tightening her hold on my hips with her legs. “I...” She moaned softly. “I think I...” She closed her eyes and shook her head.
Say it. What was she trying to tell me? The thoughts were moving too fast inside my head. I wanted her to tell me she loved me. I had no right to expect that. We weren’t there yet. She wasn’t there yet. Was she?
“Oh...” She sat up on the bed, forcing me into a seated position as I lifted her into my lap. Rocking her up and down, our tempo increased. Our bodies moved in perfect unison. Giving, taking. “Mmm...” We were forcing one another over the edge. Spiraling until we tumbled together.
Her climax was quiet, content, and full of desire. I could see it in her eyes as her stare never left mine. It didn’t take me long to follow, releasing everything I had into this encounter. Into her. As we finished, we stayed connected to one another, kissing, touching, and loving. I held her in my arms, waiting for our hearts to stop beating so erratically.
As I stroked her back, she rested her head on my shoulder. Her hair smelled of vanilla. Warm and comforting. Her scent would linger on my pillow when she left, getting me through the rest of the night.
“Miles?”
“Yes, sweetheart.”
“I want something.” She kissed the top of my shoulder as her fingers trailed along the back of my arm.
“Anything.” I’ll give you anything.
“I want to spend the night.”
Chapter Eleven
Miles
As we lay in my bed, holding one another, I realized what we just shared was so much more than sex. For the first time in my life, I’d made love to someone. It was a passion fueled encounter, but it was so much more. There was a connection between us. One that I never knew could exist between
two people. One that I never bothered to seek out.
When she told me she wanted to spend the night, a sense of pure elation came over me. Even if she hadn’t said it, I probably wouldn’t have let her leave. I needed her with me.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked.
“My mind is moving at a rapid pace,” I admitted. “My world revolves around you and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I like being the center of your world.”
“I just want you to know how special you are to me.”
“I feel the same way.” She circled her fingers around my chest. “You said that I never treated you the way you wanted to be treated.”
“I didn’t mean that.” I was upset when I saw her with her ex. “That wasn’t fair of me. We agreed to a specific relationship. I shouldn’t have expected one thing from you when we were doing another.”
“It was only natural for our feelings to grow. You were right when you said a lot of strings come with us. We were never going to be unattached, were we?”
“I knew the night of the engagement party that you were going to be different. A challenge. That’s why I asked you to dinner.”
“Why did you agree to my stupid terms?”
“I saw the fear in your eyes and I couldn’t risk you running from me.” I kissed the top of her head. “Promise me something.”
“What?”
“You’ll never run from me. What’s happening between us is all new for me. I can’t guarantee that I’m not going to make mistakes. Just don’t give up on me.”
“Not ever.” She kissed my chest. “I want to get to know you.”
“You know more about me than most.”
“I want to know everything.”
“Everything? Hmm, maybe we should start with something specific. Narrow it down a bit.”
“What’s the significance of this tattoo?” She traced her finger along my ribs, resting her hand on my hip. “It has a story.”
“It does but I don’t talk about it.”
“Not even with me?”
“There was a time when my family felt like it was falling apart. The Clarks have always come from a place of strength and when Jameson was spiraling out of control a few years ago, it was difficult for us.”
“I’m sure it was.” She kissed my chest. “I wasn’t in town when that was happening but my parents told me he was having trouble.”
“That’s an understatement. Every time the phone rang we all thought...” I hated thinking about that time in my family’s history. Jameson was doing well with his recovery and we were all grateful for that. “It was really tough. Max was still in high school and my parents were focusing so much on Jameson, I tried my best to look out for him. Jameson also required a lot of my time. I had to be really strong.”
“You’re always strong.”
“I guess, but it was exhausting.”
“Addiction affects the whole family. Your brothers are very lucky to have you.”
“Around that time, there were days when I wasn’t feeling so strong, so I got this tattoo to remind me that I had to pull it together and get Jameson through this. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it because he didn’t want to be helped. I didn’t want to lose him but every night when I went to bed, I made peace because there was a possibility he wouldn’t wake up. He wouldn’t see another day and I didn’t know how I’d move forward without my best friend. My brother.”
“Oh, Miles.” She sat up and stared at me, tears filling her eyes. “That must have been awful. I wish I could have been there for you.”
When she reached out to stroke my cheek, I took her hand and kissed her knuckles. I wished she had been with me too. “I’ve never told anyone about the story behind the tattoo or how afraid I was of losing Jameson.”
“I’m sorry.” She cuddled against me, holding me in her delicate embrace. “I didn’t mean to rehash those memories.”
“Don’t be sorry. Sharing stuff with you is easy. I want to tell you everything. I’m glad you’re here now.”
“I want to hear everything. I’m always going to be here.”
“I hope I don’t suck at this whole relationship thing.” I was determined to do everything right for her. I wanted her to be happy and secure with me. I’d give her anything she asked. I wanted to be all she needed.
“We can suck together because I’m not that good at it either.”
“You’re doing just fine.” Just stay mine.
***
Kirsten
I fumbled around the bedroom, picking up my clothes as Miles brewed coffee. Waking up in his bed was more rewarding than I could have imagined. Sleeping in his arms, stealing kisses, and listening to him breathe made for a relaxing night. Who would have thought my dream man would end up being the very last person I ever thought it could be?
Miles came into the room with two cups of coffee on a tray. He set it on the bed before taking me in his strong hold. “I wish we didn’t have to go to work today.”
“Me too.” I ran may palm along his stubble covered jaw. “We hired a new pediatrician. She’s single.” I laughed because I didn’t seem to be single anymore. “She doesn’t mind being on call on weekends so now maybe I’ll get a few off.”
“Do you think she’ll mind covering for you for a week?” He sat on the edge of the bed, setting me in his lap. He handed me a cup of coffee.
“Thank you.” I took the oversized mug from him. “Why would I need a week off?”
“I was thinking maybe after the wedding, we could go on a vacation. When Jameson gets back from the honeymoon he could pick up the slack and you and I could get away.”
“Where would we go?”
“I haven’t really thought that far ahead. My family has a house in the Hamptons if you didn’t want to go too far but we could go anywhere you want.”
“I haven’t been on vacation in a while.”
“Because you don’t make time for yourself.” He kissed my temple. “I want to go away with you. I want to spend uninterrupted time with you. I’m trying not to suck at this relationship thing, remember. And now that you’re my girlfriend, I want to do it all right.”
“You’re so cute.” I kissed him. “I’d love to go away with you.”
“You would?”
“I don’t want to suck at this relationship thing either.”
“How can we fail?”
“We can’t.” I kissed him one last time before hopping off his lap and putting on my dress. “I have to get home and shower so I’m not late for work.” I sipped the coffee. “If I leave now, I’ll make it.”
“You should consider leaving some stuff here.” He placed his mug back on the tray. “For when you spend the night.”
“Are you saying you’d like me to spend the night again?”
“I liked having you in my bed.”
“I liked being in your bed.” I turned around and lifted my hair. “Can you help me with this?”
“I’d much rather be taking it off.” He trailed his finger along my spine, causing a tremble to roll through me. “Are you sure you don’t have a few minutes to spare?”
“It won’t be a few minutes.”
“That’s true.” As he kissed the back of my neck, he zipped my dress. “Tonight?”
“About tonight.” I faced him. “I’m probably going to have dinner with Ross. He’s only in town for a few days.”
“Oh.”
“You’re welcome to join us.” I didn’t want him to think I was excluding him but I wasn’t sure how a dinner with the three of us would play out. “If you wanted to.”
“No.” He tucked my hair behind my ear. “You should have dinner with your friend and colleague. You haven’t seen him in years.”
“Are you sure?”
“I didn’t act well last night but it’s not because I was jealous or don’t trust you. You’re an adult. You had a past before me. Have dinner with your friend.”
“Thank yo
u.” I kissed him. “See how good you are at this relationship stuff?”
“I’ve always been an overachiever.” He grinned. “I have to be the best at everything I do.”
“Maybe I could come over later tonight, after dinner, and help you overachieve?”
“That’s a really good idea.” He lifted me off the floor, pressing his lips to mine. “Plan to spend the night.”
“Definitely.”
Chapter Twelve
Kirsten
As Ross and I finished dinner, I glanced at my phone. As lovely as the evening had been catching up with him, reminiscing about my medical school years, I wanted to be with Miles.
“Am I keeping you from something?” Ross asked. “You’re distracted.”
“No, of course not.” I put my phone in my bag. “I was checking to make sure the service wasn’t looking for me.”
“You said you weren’t on call tonight.”
“I can’t help it.” I finished my coffee. “I’m not on call but I still like to check.”
“You have to find the balance,” he said. “You can be a really good doctor and still find time for you. That’s important.”
“I agree.”
“I see you still wear the pendant I gave you.”
“Oh.” I touched the diamond that had hung from my neck for years. He had given it to me when we were still together. It was the first real piece of jewelry I’d ever received. I cherished it. “I’ve always loved this necklace. It represents a special time in my life.”
“Us?” He looked hopeful when he asked.
“That’s part of it but the years we spent together were good for me. I was figuring out who I was. Medical school was tough but I have so many wonderful memories. Even when you went back to Emma. It all shaped who I am today.”
“I never meant to hurt you.”
“I don’t harbor any bad feelings. I won’t lie, my heart was broken, but I was young and didn’t understand that I still had my whole life in front of me. New opportunities and so many possibilities.” When I thought about those possibilities a warm energy coursed through me. It may have taken me a few years to get to this point, but I was there now and I couldn’t wait to see where Miles and I ended up. “My memories of us are pleasant.”