by Ali Parker
I laughed. “Not that thing. I’m talking about you talking to the dean and taking a stand for yourself. I’m so proud of you.”
“Oh, that. Honestly, that was as much for me as it was for you.”
“Either way, we are going to have a lovely dinner and a nice, quiet getaway. It will be just the two of us. We don’t have to worry about anyone from school seeing us.”
“What about Olin?” she asked. “Is it wise to leave him home alone?”
“He assures me he’s fine. I’ll check in with him frequently, but this was all his idea. He’s trying to make amends and I want him to feel like he’s made it up to me.”
She bit her lower lip again. “Okay. Niagara Falls, here we come!”
“How about we start with some champagne,” I said once the plane was in the air.
“Really?”
I got up and made my way to the small serving station. I opened the bottle of champagne and poured two glasses. She still looked a little nervous, sitting in her seat with the seatbelt fastened. “Would you like to see the rest of the place?” I asked her as I handed her the glass of champagne.
“The rest?”
I slowly nodded. “The sleeping quarters are in the back.”
“Sleeping quarters? Like a bed?”
I smiled. “Are you a part of the mile-high club?”
Her mouth fell open. “For real?”
I shrugged. “Why not?” I leaned down and undid the seatbelt before pulling her up to her feet.
“Oh God, Kami was right,” she breathed.
“What was Kami right about?”
“You are a bad influence on me.”
“Bad influence? If you aren’t comfortable with this, we can sit down.”
She shook her head. “No! I want you to influence me to all the bad things I’ve always been too afraid to do.”
I chuckled. “Good.”
I walked through the narrow door, pulling her behind me. The small room looked a lot like something out of an RV. It was perfect for what I had in mind, and we had total privacy. I closed the door and sipped from my glass before putting it on the small bedside table.
I reached for her glass and put it down before pulling her into my arms. She came willingly, her soft body pressing against mine. I kissed her slow and deep, taking my time to explore her mouth with my tongue. I could taste her toothpaste mingling with the champagne. It was a delightful combination that was so uniquely her.
“You taste so good,” I whispered.
“I want you,” she replied. “I want you now.”
“Baby, I’m right here. You have me.”
Chapter 53
Leila
I kissed him with wild abandon. Being with him was better than anything else in the world. Being with him ten-thousand feet above the earth or however high we were was intense. Every touch, every kiss felt far more powerful.
He turned me away from him, my back to him. He slowly pulled the zipper of my dress down. His hands brushed over my shoulders as he pushed the dress forward. I let him undress me. The cool air brushed over my skin sending a wave of goosebumps over my body. He gently brushed the hair from my neck, pushing it over my shoulder to one side.
When his mouth closed over the skin on my neck, I groaned with pure pleasure. He gently kissed before sucking the flesh into his mouth. His teeth clamped down, sending a mixture of pain and ecstasy down my spine. My head dropped forward. It was an open invitation for him to do the same to the rest of my neck.
He obliged. Every kiss sent spasms rocking through my body. “You are the best at foreplay,” I whispered.
“I could devour you all day,” he answered, his words brushing over my ear.
“How long is this flight?” I asked him.
He chuckled. “Not nearly long enough.”
“As much as I love this, I really want to feel you inside me. I need to feel you.”
He growled. “You’re killing me. I can’t resist you.”
“Don’t resist,” I said turning around to face him. I grabbed his face with both hands and held him steady as my mouth covered his. I took and gave and then took again. My hands began to work at the buttons on his shirt, being careful not to pull too hard.
The moment I got his shirt open, I pressed my palms against his bare chest. I rubbed them over his torso. It was a tactile experience that heightened the arousal burning low in my belly. I couldn’t hold back. As much as I wanted to prolong the experience, I couldn’t wait. I pushed the shirt off his shoulders, kissing him as I did.
His hands were roaming my body, unhooking the sexy lace bra in black with the matching skimpy panties. It was all very daring and did little to actually cover anything, which was exactly the point. I leaned into him as my hands worked at the button on his pants. My pert nipples rubbed over his chest, pulling a sharp breath from both of us. I did it again, pressing hard and dragging my nipples over the mat of hair on his chest.
“Fuck,” he hissed, his fingers going between my legs and without warning, splitting my folds and pushing inside my wet heat.
“Oh God,” I gasped, my head dropping back as his mouth moved down my throat. He sucked and kissed as his fingers moved in and out of me. “Don’t stop,” I ordered, all thought of getting his pants off forgotten. I could think of nothing except the fingers buried inside me.
“I’m not stopping until you’re screaming my name,” he growled pushing two fingers high inside me.
I gripped his bare shoulders, my nails digging in as I struggled to stay standing. I wanted him inside me. I wanted to be filled by him. “More,” I demanded, needing to feel a sense of completion.
He pushed me onto the bed and shoved my legs open before pushing the fingers back inside me. I went up on my elbows, gasping as I watched him make love to me with his fingers. It was dirty and sexy, and I felt completely wild and unabandoned.
“Give it to me, Leila,” he ordered, his eyes looking into mine.
I collapsed backwards onto the bed, my back arching as my body gave over to the need. The climax was so forceful I felt like my back would snap in two. I cried out, my arms reaching out beside me, clasping the bed comforter in my fists. For a brief moment, I was terrified. My body didn’t feel like my own as I bucked and wept with lust.
“Oh, good God,” I moaned when the sharp spasms began to subside.
“Damn woman, you keep going like that and you might just kill me,” he breathed before he pushed the pants over his hips. I watched as his cock sprang forth hard and glistening. He climbed over the top of me. “I have to feel you around me,” he ground out the words as if he were in real pain.
He slid inside me, my passage slick with the orgasm and easing his way. He jerked, squeezing his eyes closed. “Damn,” he rasped. “Holy shit, you’re so fucking wet,” his voice was harsh. “Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck me.” He drew out the words.
“You make me that way,” I whispered, putting my hand to his cheek. His blue eyes met mine and I knew I was in trouble. I felt so much for him. I was in deep, just as he was deep inside me.
He began to move, slowly fucking me and bringing me more pleasure than I thought possible. The mild turbulence made the act even more exciting. We were high in the sky, above the clouds with our bodies joined together. I thought of the Greek gods and goddesses and what they would have experienced during their lovemaking in the clouds. I could feel the lazy smile on my lips as I imagined the sun shining brightly upon us.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked, his body no longer moving inside mine. “You have a smile on your face that is both scary and sexy at the same time.”
I smiled, opening my eyes and looking into his. “Adonis,” I answered on a breath. “I’m thinking about Adonis.”
He looked at me like I was crazy. “Come again?” he said with a hint of irritation.
“You are my Adonis. You make me feel like Aphrodite. I imagine us on a bed of clouds, making love and experiencing all life has to offer.”
<
br /> He smiled, dropping a kiss on the tip of my nose. “You are my Aphrodite. You are beautiful and strong, and you bring out the best in me.”
“Don’t stop,” I said. “Make love to me.”
His blue eyes darkened, and he began to move once again. His strokes went deeper, his cock feeling bigger than ever. My body opened to him, welcoming him deep inside my very soul. I could feel his need growing with every thrust and jerked my hips to meet him halfway.
He was breathing hard, chasing his orgasm and taking me along for the beautiful ride. My hands ran down his arms, squeezing the biceps that were straining under his own weight. I closed my eyes, memorizing every inch of his body before I moved my hands to his back. His corded muscles stretched and contracted as he rode my body.
“So. Close,” he gasped.
I reached down, grabbing his ass and squeezing, digging my nails into his flesh. He jerked. I knew the pain and pleasure he was feeling and how good it would make him feel. I leaned forward, slamming my mouth against his as I dug my nails into his flesh and pulled him deeper inside my body.
His cock damn near doubled in size wedged deep inside me. I cried out, the fullness of him stretching me and touching previously untouched nerve endings until I was weeping with joy and ecstasy. He groaned next to my ear, his mouth dropping to my neck and clamping down as we both exploded in a violent orgasm.
I couldn’t breathe. Stars erupted behind my eyes. His body collapsed onto mine even as hips involuntarily jerked and rocked into me. Finally, after several long seconds, I gasped, sucking air into my lungs and feeling everything with a newfound clarity. My body had never felt so strange. It was like every cell had exploded and was being rearranged, making me new and whole again.
“Holy shit,” he finally breathed, moving part of his weight off me.
I was breathing hard, his shoulder still pressed against mine, his lower body still pinning me to the bed. “Oh my God. I don’t know if it’s the altitude or what, but oh my God.”
He chuckled, turning his head to face me. “It’s all you, baby. You make me crazy with need. This new you is impossible to resist. You’re hot.”
I smiled, feeling very sexy and powerful in the moment. “I think it’s the altitude, but we’ll go with what you said.”
My body felt sated, like I could sleep for a year. I reached up and stroked my fingers up and down his bicep. In that moment, it all felt right. Everything felt like it was going exactly as it should.
“We should probably get dressed,” he said after we had laid together for a while.
“Do we have to?” I groaned.
He grinned. “No, but the pilot might come and check on us if he lands and we don’t exit the plane.”
“Party pooper,” I teased.
He smiled and rolled away from me. I watched as he got to his feet and stared at all his naked glory. He dressed, watching me as he did. I felt wanton, stretched out naked on the bed without a care in the world.
“Baby, if you don’t get some clothes on, the pilot is going to get one hell of a show,” he warned.
I giggled before sitting up and reaching for my panties. He exited the room while I put myself back together. When he came back in, he quietly grabbed my hand and pulled me into the main cabin. “Look,” he said, pointing out one of the small windows.
“Oh my gosh!” I squealed. “Is that it?”
“Yep, we’ll be landing soon. I’ll grab your shoes.”
I looked down at my bare feet and smiled. He returned a second later and kneeled in front of me. I felt like Cinderella as he slid on one heel and then the other. I leaned forward, cupping his face in my hand. “You make me so happy.”
“You make me happy.”
I kissed him. “I’m going to get that champagne,” I told him.
“No, sit, I’ll get it.”
I grabbed his hand and pulled him back. “No. Let me do this for you.”
He silently nodded before getting into the seat. I grabbed the two glasses and topped them off before taking a seat next to him. We sipped champagne, watching the lights below grow brighter as the plane began to descend.
The man was making it very difficult for me to remember I didn’t trust anyone. He was making me feel things that scared the hell out of me. I was falling hard. I prayed he wouldn’t hurt me. I didn’t open my heart to anyone because I was afraid of being left behind. Some scars never healed. I knew deep down I would never heal if he left me.
“I cannot wait to tell Kami,” I said offhandedly.
He looked at me and smiled. “What exactly will you be telling Kami?”
I burst into laughter. “I’ll be telling her about the trip. I won’t be giving her the dirty details.”
He kissed me. “The dirty details are the best part.”
“But those details are for us. Our own little secret.”
“I like that.”
We both leaned back in the seats and watched the scenery below, his hand holding mine. I could really get used to the man and all he had to offer. I sighed with contentment and let myself have a little fantasy about what a future with him would look like.
Chapter 54
Christopher
The limo I had hired was waiting for us at the airport when we landed. I loved watching how excited Leila got when she realized the limo was there for us. She hadn’t stopped smiling since we had taken off from Houston.
“I feel like I’m in a dream,” she exclaimed as we sipped more champagne in the back of the limousine.
“I’m happy you’re happy.”
“Where are we going?” she asked staring out the dark window at the many lights of Buffalo, New York.
“I’ve made reservations at a hotel in the city,” I told her.
“When?” she asked with surprise.
“About five minutes ago,” I said with a laugh. “Thankfully we aren’t in the peak season.”
“You are sneaky! I didn’t even know you did that.”
I winked. “I can’t reveal all of my secrets.”
“This is incredible,” she whispered before turning to look at me again. “Truly, thank you for this. I’ve never done anything so spontaneous. This is crazy and awesome, and I feel like a kid taking my first trip to Disneyland.”
“Have you been?” I asked.
“Been to Disneyland?” she questioned. “No, I haven’t. Foster kids in Texas don’t get to go to Disneyland.”
“We’ll go,” I said firmly.
She laughed. “I think I’m a little too old now.”
“You’re never too old. I bet Olin would love to take that trip. Maybe by then he’ll have a friend that he can bring along. I really want to make out with you on those spinning teacups.”
Her soft laugh made me smile. “We would scar the children.”
“Not permanently.”
The car pulled to a stop in front of the hotel I had booked at the last minute. It wasn’t exactly luxury accommodations, but it would suffice. With our bags in hand, we made our way up to our room. Thankfully, we had managed to get a room with a great view of the falls.
“Wow,” she breathed, standing in front of the window and staring down at the nighttime scene. “It’s stunning. I never imagined how beautiful it would be in person.”
“Tomorrow we’ll go and see it up close and personal,” I told her, putting my arms around her from behind. “Why don’t we go get that dinner I promised you?”
“I am rather hungry,” she agreed.
“There’s a restaurant in the hotel.”
“Perfect. I don’t want to go too far. I’m still feeling the effects of the altitude I think.”
I grinned. “We could order in,” I offered.
She shook her head. “Oh no, I got all dressed up, you’re taking me out. Although, I should probably fix my makeup.”
I winked. “Just so I can mess it all up again.”
“Exactly.”
I took a seat in one of the chairs and waited while
she went into the bathroom to repair the damage. I couldn’t let myself think too hard about being in a hotel with a woman that wasn’t Carlie. I pushed all thoughts of her to the back of my mind. Part of me felt like I was cheating. I knew I wasn’t, but being with one woman for so long and never daring to look at another had become a way of life.
“Ready,” she said coming out of the bathroom.
“Damn, you look just amazing,” I breathed. “I love the dress.”
“Thank you, but I’m sorry, I’m going to have to ask you not to touch me. I cannot resist your touches. You touch me and my clothes fall off.”
I smirked getting up from the chair and stalking towards her. “I like you naked.”
“I like you naked, but I also like food and I don’t think we can be naked in the restaurant.”
“Again, we can order room service.”
“Nope,” she said shaking her head as she backed up. “I want the full treatment.”
“You got it,” I said, stopping my pursuit. “Anything to make you happy.”
We headed downstairs and were quickly seated in the quiet restaurant. It was all couples. I imagined they were all honeymooning or enjoying a weekend getaway. There was something about Niagara Falls that was very romantic. I was grateful I had never been to the iconic place with Carlie. Her ghost would make it difficult for me to focus on Leila like she deserved.
We each ordered the New York steak and Maine lobster. As we sipped wine and chatted about our weeks, I felt myself falling for her. It wasn’t any one moment, but I realized as I stared at her over the candle in the center of the table, she was everything I could want.
“I take it you haven’t traveled much at all?” I asked her.
She smiled. “No. I never had the means. Even if I did have the means, I was so busy with school and working as many jobs as I could, I didn’t have the time.”
“Are you interested in seeing the world close up instead of in pictures?”
She sipped her wine. “It’s not really something I’ve thought a lot about. I like my home. I like being grounded. Maybe it’s because I never really had a place I could call home before, but I’m very much a homebody. I don’t spend my weekends or summer breaks fantasizing about some tropical place. I love where I live.”