River's Heart
Page 6
It’s early evening, and the sun dips below the horizon, bloody streaks of red stretching across the gray sky.
Soon the road turns into a gravel circular driveway and stops in front of a century old Inn.
The rooftop shines coppery red, reflecting the sunset. The lake–– a big stretch of charcoal gray and white crests, sprawls in the background.
Royally lit, the century old Inn is a mix of timeless mystery and modern charm. A big Christmas tree tosses lights next to the entrance.
The innkeeper rushes to us as we walk out of the car.
“Good evening, Mr. Steel. Ms. Hensley.”
We enter the place.
The house was restored to its original splendor. It takes only a glance to imagine life a hundred years ago or so. Decorated for Christmas, the place looks like a dream.
It showcases a mix of subtle elegance, decadent comfort, and modern touch.
The innkeeper’s wife shows us to our suite.
“Dinner will be ready at seven o’clock,” she says and vanishes out the door.
I start unpacking my stuff as Layla pulls the patio door open, checking the terrace. A gust of wind pushes inside, almost killing the fire. The flames struggles beneath the logs, spitting smoke.
Startled, she slams the door shut and glances at me before she shifts her focus to the cups of hot chocolate waiting on a small table.
“Is this what I think it is?” she asks, sinking into an armchair.
The next moment her lips dip into the creamy chocolate.
“Mmm. This is really good,” she says, froth lining her lip.
“I don’t think you’ve ever tasted chocolate you didn’t like. You can have mine, too.”
Her eyebrows shoot up, her eyes moving.
“Did you just roll your eyes at me?” I ask, flashing a smile.
Mouth full, she starts giggling, the noise gurgling inside her throat. The mug shakes in her hand, her mouth barely staying shut. She tries to swallow, snickering at the same time.
“You really like to keep it in your mouth...” I say, giving her a dirty smile that tips her over the edge.
The mug lands on the table, a napkin flying to her mouth as she struggles to prevent a spillage.
Her laughter fills the room.
“Why would you do that to me?”
“I didn’t do anything, baby. It’s your naughty mind.”
She looks like a five-year-old who drinks hot chocolate with her face. I bend over and kiss her, and then I pull away, licking my lips.
“Mmm... It does taste good. The best chocolate I’ve ever had....” I say, tossing in an undertone.
She stays quiet for a moment before we chuckle.
Shaking my head, I scoop the gifts out of the bag.
“These are for you, and the little one is for your cat friend,” I say setting the boxes on a chair.
“Oh, I’m so sorry... I didn’t have time to buy gifts .”
“You didn’t have to. I picked them, but somebody else bought them for me. I didn’t have time either... Plus, you’ve already given me a gift,” I say and kiss her softly.
Her eyes stay rooted to mine, filled with surprise. I peel away and head to the bathroom.
Half an hour later I walk out, fully dressed.
She stares blankly at the fire. Unopened, the boxes sit at her side.
“You okay...?”
She whips her head to me and starts fumbling through her words.
“Oh... Yes, I am. It’s not...”
Her eyes dip, her mouth pulling agape as her voice starts trailing off. Pulling a fashion little number out of Ron’s book, I’ve chosen an all black attire for tonight. Black pants and a slim fit shirt undone at my neck. Not classically formal, but different than what she’s accustomed to.
She slowly takes me in–– head to toes, as if she’s never seen me before. She finally looks up, and I’m waiting for her to find her voice and speak.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Uh-huh.”
“All right, then. I’ll see you downstairs.”
I snatch my phone and spin toward the door, her stare stamped on my back. I make a quick turn, and catch her pulling her eyes off my ass. I barely suppress my grin.
“The gifts...You may want to open them.”
“Huh? Oh, yeah... I will.”
I walk away–– this time for good, slip out the door and take the stairs down to the first floor. The dining room is ready for us, lavishly decorated with Christmas wreaths, candles, and floral arrangements. A red tablecloth dresses the table.
I linger in the hallway, and then I stop next to the window. From time to time, I glance at the stairs. She should show up any minute.
I sift through messages, respond to some, and make a few calls. Half an hour later, a silhouette catches the corner of my eye.
I glance over my shoulder and freeze.
She stalls for a moment as our eyes lock. My breath catches in my throat. Slowly, I slip my phone into my pocket and turn all the way to her, my heart filled with an emotion I’ve never felt before.
Nervous, she slides her hand onto the handrail as she carefully steps down the stairs. Her eyes gleam with nothing but love for me.
I run my eyes down on her. The red, metallic gown clings intimately to her body, revealing her legs up to her thighs.
Parting her lips, she gives me a loving smile.
In awe, I stare at her, fascinated by the woman in her.
She closes the gap between us while I extend my arm, and bury her hand in mine. She shivers beneath my touch.
I set my palm on her back.
“You look beautiful,” I say, and her eyes glint with smoldering fire.
She slides her hand up my chest and curls her fingers around my neck, her breasts pressing against my torso.
Warmth sweeps my body.
“I know you’re hungry baby. Me, too,” I murmur, smiling.
A soft blush layers her complexion, matching the color of her dress.
I lead her to the table.
“There aren’t other guests...” she says as I pull the chair out for her.
“No, there aren’t.”
“You mean the whole place... is only for us?”
I take a seat as well and flaunt a secret smile.
“Mmm-hmm.”
She shifts her eyes away, hiding her grin.
Dinner is served right away. The staff moves smoothly and swiftly, in perfect silence. Layla and I talk general topics as we go through the main course, and then, as we start to taste the desserts and nibble on fruit, I begin talking about my other life. Touring, writing music, performing, spending my time with the three other men.
Four, if I take Ron into account.
I share a couple of funny stories, dishing out on that one time when we almost forgot Lucas in a hotel room after a night of wild partying that left him exhausted and buried in a bed filled with female fans.
And then the story of another night when a couple of groupies had broken into Jay’s room and bedded one of the roadies by mistake. Despite the confusion none of them complained in the end.
Laughter lights up her eyes.
We drink more wine. A scent of orange peel, cinnamon and smoke coming from the burning wood floats in the air.
She goes silent, and I observe her for a couple of moments before I motion to the hostess.
“Would that be all?”
“Yes,” I say.
Swiftly, she closes the door and leaves us alone.
Layla’s gaze shifts to the window, her eyes training on the flurries swirling outside.
“I love this place,” she says and glances at me briefly, mixed emotions in her eyes. “It’s perfect,” she mutters lost in her thoughts.
“What’s perfect?”
“Everything... It’s like a beautiful dream.”
“It’s not a dream, Layla.”
Her eyes search mine for a moment before she smoothly rises to her feet and
heads my way. A smile brushes her lips as she walks around the table and stops near me.
Leaning to me, she gives me a soft kiss, her waist-deep cleavage flashing a full view of her bare breasts.
Her fingers curl around my neck, her soft voice rolling in my ear.
“I’m still hungry, you know?”
I drink her in, fascinated by the hot, sophisticated woman in her, who hits on me now, just right.
Her hand slides to my shoulder as she lowers her mouth again and gives me another kiss.
She breaks the kiss but doesn’t tear away. My gaze dips, the back of my hand brushing her chest.
Her body trembles, vibrating like a finely tuned musical instrument. Gently, I slip my fingers into the back of her hair and holding her eyes, I run my hand between her thighs.
Flushed, she looks at me, gauging my reaction as my hand meets no panties, only her soft, warm, bare flesh.
I’ll be damn.
Instant heat surges through me. Our eyes stay connected as I pull out of my chair, wrap my arm around her and press her into me.
“I’m hungry, too,” I purr in her ear, already hard and pressing against her belly.
She tilts her head up, and lowers her lids, my lips crashing onto hers. Locked, we feed on each other, intense pleasure coursing through us.
I slip my hand inside her gown, and grab the swell of her naked butt.
She gives me a soft moan, and that’s enough to quickly grip her hand and lead her to the stairs.
We reach the second level, gyrate toward the nearest wall, and breathing fast we freeze. For a moment, the eerie silence unfurls around us.
The wind whispers at the windows while the Christmas music echoes in the air.
Holding her eyes, I relish this beautiful moment, my fingers rolling over her jawline, exploring the softness of her skin as I absorb the sweetness of her features.
Threading my fingers through her hair, I bring her to my lips. Her arms whip around my neck as we crash against the wall. I softly touch her lips before we fall into each other, entangled in a feast.
Her hand goes down my shirt, popping my buttons open. Running my fingers inside the straps, I peel her dress off.
She tears the shirt off my shoulders and summons me to her again. My tongue slips into her mouth as her breasts press against my chest, our bodies breathing fire.
Breaking away, I rove my eyes over her naked body.
Propped on her heels, she squeezes her thighs, quietly waiting for me. I grip the side of her neck, and she gives me a fierce look, her nostrils flaring, her lips trembling.
“Promise, you won’t scream,” I say.
She nods, and I kneel.
My hand goes between her thighs, my tongue tracing her slit as I crush her clit between my lips.
She muffles a scream, the jerking of her hips telling me I got her just right. Propping her knee on my shoulder, she opens her legs for me, and I begin to stroke her flesh, my fingers slowly entering her.
A jolt goes through her body, her hand nearly bending my shoulder. She slips her fingers in my hair, holding onto me tight as I start giving her smooth thrusts, her walls clenching around my fingers.
She gets tenser and tenser, her spine arching, her hand pressing my head between her legs. I pull my fingers out and slide my tongue in, and it takes her only moments before she goes stiff and starts to shudder. Her growl simmers quietly in her throat as my mouth gets wet with her arousal.
Her grip slackens on me. I leap to my feet and lock her lips. She burns like fire. Her hand goes to my fly and rushed, slips inside my pants, her fingers curling tightly around my shaft.
That’s my fucking girl.
I pull her into the room, spin her back against the wall, and crash my mouth onto hers, feeding on her again. She kisses me back, her hand gliding up my back.
By her iron grip on my shoulder, I can tell this is not going to be a white glove event.
We lock eyes as I tug her hair, and tip her head back.
A daring smile glints in her eyes.
She’s no longer soft or shy, and she certainly doesn’t flinch as I lodge my hand between her thighs.
I grip her ass, wind her thigh around my hip, and root myself into her, filling her all the way. A small burst of air escapes her lips, her body tensing around me.
I pull back and thrust again. Her tight, wet core squeezes me.
“Hard. I want it hard,” she mutters, and I ground myself inside her, railing her without mercy.
Her body jerks with each thrust, her back hitting the wall. I could easily carve another door into the wall in the shape of us.
A smile tilts my lips. She’s a woman of my taste.
Strong against my thrusts, she clenches her jaw as I bang her, beads of sweat trickling down her temple. I pull her hair into my fist, my breath burning her lips.
Her nails bleed my back.
“This... is... so... fucking... good,” she murmurs, in a trance, her body beginning to break. “I’m... coming...” she mutters, her eyes half shut, her gaze going blank.
Buried deep inside her, I still, feeling her pulsations.
Right on the cusp, she looks at me in a fucking awe, a hypnotic stare streaming from her eyes.
I pull her hair back and take her mouth, and her chest hits mine as she screams inside my mouth.
We crash, swept away by pleasure, my heart pounding, fast breaths slicing my lungs.
Clasping my fingers on her shoulder, I breathe against her lips.
“I’m not done with you...” I rasp, and then I pull away and vanish into the shower.
I comb my hand through my damp hair, wind a towel around my waist and quietly enter the room.
Wearing only her red heels, she bends at the waist, rolls her fingers over the sofa, and flips the pillows, looking for something.
Hands clasped on my hips, I train my eyes on her butt and slowly run my tongue over my lips, relishing the show.
The more she bends, the longer her muscles stretch, the more enticing the arched space between her legs, the place where I ache to be.
She bends a knee on the sofa and spreads her legs as she digs under the last pillow. My cock twitches, pointing at my abs. If this is a show, she’s smarter than a fox. If it’s not, I’m simply a lucky bastard.
Reluctantly, I open my mouth.
“Looking for something?”
She shifts upright and spins around, her heels scraping the floor. Her hand jerks and something falls from her hand.
Frozen, she stands in front of me as my gaze sweeps her tight curves.
“You scared me,” she says softly–– without sounding scared at all.
Distracted, she rolls her gaze on my body, the conversation clearly doomed.
“What are you looking for?” I ask.
“A pendant,” she says, her eyes scanning my abs.
I pick up the necklace, roll it onto my finger, and pivot back to her.
“It’s here somewhere. We’ll find it,” I mutter.
My hands meet behind her neck, clasping the necklace. I could’ve curled a snake around her neck, and she would’ve smiled, oblivious.
“You’re a bit distracted,” I say.
“So are you,” she hurls back at me.
Grinning, I set my hands back on my hips and observe her as her fingers trail the ridges of my abs, trace the edge of my towel and smoothly slide underneath, cuffing my erection.
Stroking me with one hand, she winds her arm around my neck, and leans to me, whispering in my ear.
“It’s my turn.”
With nothing better to do, my phone goes off. I don’t move an inch.
She turns around, walks to the bed, and bends over again, giving me another X-rated view of her backside as she searches my pants for my phone.
She grabs it and spins fast, catching me ogling her ass.
Swiftly, I shift my focus to her face. A smile drapes over her lips.
“Do you need to take this?”
Lowering herself on the couch, she motions to me. Her eyes glint with mischief. I swagger to her and smoothly peel the towel off. Her hand curls around me, her tongue sliding up and down my shaft.
Head tilted back, I watch her with half-shut eyes, indulging in the sensation spurred by her mouth.
Her tongue swirls around me, her hand loving me as she pulls me deep inside her throat. The reverberations of her touch travel to my tailbone.
It’s not as if I haven’t had my share of experienced and talented women, but no matter how well crafted the act was, it always lacked something.
Passionately, she increases the pace and pressure, a serpent of tension coiling inside of me. I slip my fingers in her hair and cup her face as I start moving.
She takes me deeper as I roll my hips, showing almost no restraint. I’m hot and tense, and so eager to plow her.
Just as I start edging, I pull away and nudge her to the couch. Propped on her knees, she spreads her legs. I run my hand over her swollen flesh, and enter her in one long thrust, grunting.
She arches her back, and pushes her ass out, her core-hugging me tightly.
“Damn it, Layla.”
My hands clutch on her butt as I start to hammer her. Moans rolling off her lips and then her words.
“Fuck me, River... I’m all yours...”
I draw in a long breath to hold me over, clasp my fingers on her ass and slam her, pulling her on me as much as I thrust into her, giving her what she wants.
Crazed, she shifts through voices, moaning, raw and wild. Eyes shut, I toss my head back and ride that fucking high with her until there’s nothing but relief between us.
6
The wind blows glittering snow over the windows.
Arms wrapped around me, she slips in and out of sleep.
“Are you awake?” she says after a while.
My fingers thread through her hair.
“Mmm-hmm.”
“If I could freeze time, this would be it,” she murmurs, sadness seeping into her voice.
She pauses before she speaks again.