When his sexy, full lips wrap around my nipple, the same one that was cut off, I can no longer control my body. It’s as if an invisible force has taken over my every thought except him and what he’s doing. How he’s doing it and the way it makes me feel wanted. Cherished and adored. The fear is gone as well as any insecurities I’ve had over a man seeing my body. There’s a slow-burning sensation stirring low in my belly; it’s nearing a painful state.
“Zeke, please,” I plead while rolling my hips. I want his mouth on every single inch of me.
My plea scares me and sets me on fire at the same time. I’m wasted, high, and alive on this man. The back of his hand glides down my abdomen until his fingers sink inside the bottoms of my bikini. Even though I didn’t think it could be possible, I spread my legs further, giving him access, and I’m wet. Drenched.
His fingers graze my folds, causing me scream out his name. My hands automatically fall back on his legs for support. I grieve the loss from the connection of his mouth around my nipple. It doesn’t last long, though, as his thumb presses down on my clit and his palm cups my core. The simple touch throws me over the edge of ecstasy.
“Zeke,” I sing out his name feeling my release control every single part of me. It tingles my toes, it short-circuits my mind, and I’ve never felt anything like it before in my life.
I’m soaked. Dripping and aching for more. Zeke isn’t done, either, judging by the wicked smile on his face, the gleam in his eye when my eyes flutter open to look at him.
“One,” he says raspily right before he sinks two fingers inside of me.
The sensation of being full causes me to throw my head back again. We find a perfect rhythm moving together. Zeke’s thumb presses against my clit again. It’s a dark magic, causing me to fire off again screaming out his name.
“So beautiful. Two orgasms, baby. How many more can you give me?” he rasps out.
He doesn’t stop his assault on my body until he says the number four. There was no counting for me this time. No evil lurking in the shadows. I’m sated. Exhausted. And all I can do is collapse forward on his chest. The slick sheen of sweat on our bodies comforting in an odd way.
“That was amazing,” I whisper, my hands trailing down to reach into his swim shorts.
His large palm captures my arm, stopping my movement. “No.”
I sit up dizzily and feeling a bit hurt that he might not want me to touch him. It pulses deep in my backbone. “What?” I ask, my mind thinking horrible thoughts.
“I did what I did because I wanted to. You don’t owe me anything.”
I sigh in relief now that I see where he’s going with this. Even though this man has shown me everything and has been clear about his intentions, he’s still protecting me in a way he shouldn’t have to.
“I want to touch you, Zeke. To see your handsome face when you let go. You said I’m in control. This is me being in control. Let me touch you.”
“Christ. She’s as stubborn as she is beautiful. It’s all yours, Amelia.”
I smile, lean back further, and grab his hand, guiding it into his shorts. “Show me what you like.”
His brows lift in a challenge, and he tugs down his shorts, slowly allowing his long, hard cock to spring free. I lick my lips at the beautiful sight. All I want to do is taste him. All of this is new to me. Coming the way I did. Enjoying a man touching me, seeing a man up close. The want, the need, the urgent desire flows through my veins greater than any kind of high. It’s the kind of high I don’t want to come down from out of fear of what I’ll see. What I’ll feel or the escape that I can never break free from. But even more than any of that, I want to study his face as he indulges in his own orgasm. To watch him come undone with the help of my hand.
His hand wraps around his throbbing cock. I sit mesmerized, watching him stroke it slowly from base to tip. His head falling back on the lounger.
“Eyes,” I command.
He pops his head up and stares right into mine. A smirk, devilish appearance on his scruffy face. On a bold move, I cover his hand with mine. Our fingers lace together, letting me feels his silky, hard shaft. My pussy is pounding once again with want from watching this man break his unspoken boundaries around me. Something big has happened here tonight. Bigger than I ever dreamed would happen. It can’t be outdone, outshined, or taken away. It’s mine. It’s Zeke’s. And not one bit of it is dirty.
A bead of precum glistens on his tip. I use my other hand to wet my fingers then slowly bring it to my lips. Sinking it into my mouth and tasting him for the first time.
“Jesus, Amelia, that is fucking hot,” he growls.
He begins to squeeze his dick harder, moving our hands faster up and down it. I cup his balls with my other hand while studying his face. He appears relaxed, at ease, and this, too, is another first for me. Zeke may have been calm when he visited me. Professional and friendly. But this man below me, the guy who has helped bring me to light, he’s the real Zeke. Carefree. Takes what he wants and gives back more than he gets.
He pulses once, then twice in my hand before spilling out all across his sculpted stomach.
“Holy. Shit. Amelia.” His guttural sound causes chills to race up my spine; they travel around my shoulders and land in the center of my chest.
“One,” I whisper.
This makes Zeke laugh out loud. He reaches over, grabbing a towel from the tall stack, and cleans himself up. It shouldn’t be a sexy sight, but my God, it is. Actually, the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.
“Give me about thirty minutes, then you can say two.” He smiles up at me, tossing the towel to the ground.
I’m proud of myself for not saying something dumb like ‘Thank you’ or ‘Was that okay.’ Nope, I’m living. He just colored me wild.
“If you and this is what waits for me every day when I come home from a shit day at work, then I’ll never complain again.” His words light me up as his strong arms wrap around me, making me feel safe, loved, and wanted. Yes, loved.
“Me, too.” I smile. “My new boss is an ass and demanding. I’ve been working hard all day.”
“Excuse me?” he asks in a playful tone.
“You heard me. He’s an ass,” I say trying not to laugh.
There’s no regret lingering between us. It’s light and playful. Zeke moves fast. His legs dropping to either side of the lounge chair, then he’s standing up in one fast movement.
“Zeke,” I squeal.
He has me over his shoulder. My face pressed into his back and my arms wrapping around his waist.
“Take it back, Bluebird.”
“No,” I fight to say through my giggles. “He’s an ass.”
He playfully swats my ass. “Last chance, Bluebird.”
“Never.”
I’m in full hysterics now. Then I’m flying through the air topless and all. The water hitting my back and me going down until my feet hit bottom. When I surface, Zeke isn’t anywhere to be seen. I look from side to side then feel his arms wrap around my waist, tugging me under.
Game on, doctor.
“Zeke, I can’t swim. What the hell were you thinking?” I fake cough when we break through the surface.
His face grows serious in a flash of a second. He looks scared. I almost feel bad. Keyword there, almost. I act fast, pushing down on his shoulders and dunking him under the water. The laughter and lack of my strength doesn’t allow me to keep him underwater for long. He comes up sputtering water out between his laughter.
“Well played, Bluebird.” Then his face grows serious again. “I should’ve asked before doing that.”
I tap the tip of his nose. “I was joking. That was fun. There isn’t anything I don’t love about the way you treat me, Zeke. No kid gloves, remember?”
We horse around in the pool for a while, never letting go of each other. There’s a heavy admission settled deep down in my core. I love this man. Everything about him. The way he carries himself, how he cares deeply for others, how I can beat
him in a game of hoops, and everything else in between. I love Zeke Hartley.
* * *
“Hello,” I answer my phone, place it on speaker, and roll my eyes when I see that it’s Zoe. She’s called me every day since I’ve been here. Some days twice.
It’s been a week since I’ve moved in. A week of some of the best times of my life as well as some of the lowest.
Zeke had a life before I came along. He’s a doctor. A damn good one, too. His job is demanding, and how he manages to do it all, I’ll never know. I’m simply grateful he’s doing it all with me.
I’ve learned so much about the man in the times we’ve been together. Where he loves to be kissed. His favorite foods. His dislikes, his loves, and the way he holds me tight at night. All of my things are still in the bedroom he made for me, but I haven’t slept in there since the night by the pool.
I finish up my email to the caterer. Save the file and close my laptop. I need to find out what Zoe needs before Zeke comes home. He said he had something he’s been wanting to show me.
“Are you done working yet? I have a question to ask you,” Zoe says. She sounds out of breath.
“Just finished. Are you okay?” I stretch my legs out in front of me. Fiddle with the blue bow on the small gift that I ordered from Amazon for Zeke.
“Yes. I’m always in a hurry; you know that. I was calling to see if you wanted to have a girls’ night tonight. It’s late notice, but I just found out Robbie was going to be working out of town all night, and well, I miss seeing you around.”
I cringe not caring for the tone of her voice and not wanting to turn her down.
“I miss you, too. And a girls’ night sounds perfect, Zoe, but I can’t this weekend. Zeke is off, and we have plans. He goes back in on Monday. You could pick me up anytime on Monday and we could hit up Starbucks. Is anything wrong?”
She’s been acting strange lately. I mean, I know she means well when she calls. Always asking if I’m doing okay or if I need anything. But for her to be this clingy with all these phone calls isn’t like her. It has me thinking she needs my help. I brush it off. Zoe isn’t one to keep her mouth shut about anything. If it were bad, she would come right out and say it. I hope I’m right.
“I’m off Monday. I’ll pick you up around two. This way, you can be home for your man.” Her giggle that follows settles my nerves.
I roll my eyes even though she can’t see me. “He’s not my man.”
“Keep telling yourself that.”
Her tone picks right up into the fun and carefree nature I’m accustomed to. Still, I’m a little worried.
“Whatever. I swear you’re just a hopeless romantic.”
“I wish,” she whispers into the phone.
“I just heard Zeke’s car pull in. Call me if you need anything.”
I hang up with an unsettled feeling lingering in my stomach. I’m not sure if it’s the contents of the box or the odd conversation that just ensued. Either way, I bounce off the bed and rush out into the kitchen, waiting for the door leading to the garage to swing wide open.
“Hey.” Zeke’s shocked expression indicates he wasn’t expecting to see me standing there.
I giggle lightly, feeling like a little puppy waiting for their owner. I’ve been doing so much of that lately that I’m still not used to the sound. I may never be. However, every time I hear it, it’s another step for me in the right direction.
“That happy to see me?” he asks, closing the distance between us and gracing me with a light peck on my lips.
“You could say that.” I clutch the little gift behind my back.
It’s funny Zeke has a surprise for me and I have for him. It’s not like we planned this; it just happened. Much like us.
“I was going to wait until tonight, but I can’t.” He drops his leather bag to the tile floor.
His words scare me for a beat. Wondering what in the hell he has up his sleeve. I’ve learned the unknown is the scariest for me. The not knowing has the the power to make the oxygen vanish in my lungs.
When Zeke reaches behind my back for my hand, I’m quick to move the present to the other one. His fingers lace through mine, making the inevitable panic dull to a faint ache. His touch is comforting and a safe place to rest my worries and dreams as well.
We walk down the hall in silence with our hands connected. He digs into his pocket, pulling out a key to the locked door. He must sense my worry and the creeping tension when I squeeze his hand.
“Do you trust me?” He peers over his shoulder.
I nod fighting to mask how nervous I am. “Unless this is a torture dungeon or something like that.”
I try to make a joke, and it’s pathetic at best. Zeke doesn’t pay much attention, too focused on unlocking the door.
“Do you think you could close your eyes?”
“No.” It’s an automatic response, which I instantly regret. He asks if I trusted him, and I do. “I’m sorry.” I inhale deeply, close my eyes, and I swear I can see him smiling.
“Every day you knock me on my ass with how far you’ve come, Amelia. Don’t keep those beautiful eyes closed for me. Do it for yourself.”
“I’ll agree to disagree. I’m doing this for both of us. Now, please open the door. I’ve wondered what you’ve had hidden away in here.” I swallow down my fear.
I hear the lock click, and much to my surprise, I don’t jump. Fear doesn’t take over. The counting doesn’t start. And the skin that cups my face is warm, soft, and gentle. He drops his forehead to mine.
“I’m so proud of you, Amelia. Are you ready?” The tone of his voice peeks my curiosity even more. If I had my eyes open, I would bet this man’s eyes were shining as brightly at the midday sun.
“I want you to walk into this with eyes wide open and take this as my gift to the both of us, Amelia.”
I hear the door creak open, the brass knob hitting the drywall, and still I don’t flinch. I continue to picture Zeke’s loving green eyes until courage begins to trump my anxiety.
“Take a few steps forward when you're ready.” His voice trails off, indicating to me he’s stepped inside.
The bluebird carries the sky on his back.
I repeat my new favorite words over and over in my mind until I feel strong. The same words I say to myself every night before I fall asleep. I step forward doing my best to keep the gift concealed at my side.
When I open my eyes, the sight before me has left me speechless and my knees shaking.
Colors everywhere, not on the wall or in the decorations, but in bottles. Blank canvases line the floor, resting up against the wall. An easel in the center. The walls a stark white just screaming for some color. Brand-new, fresh paintbrushes nestled perfectly in a stand. Every size and shape an artist could ask for.
I turn to Zeke with my mouth wide open and tears rolling down my face.
He shrugs. “Sorry, I kind of forgot the shiny red bow, Bluebird.”
I don’t care about a stupid red bow. He did all of this for me. Oh, my God. I can’t believe this. Or maybe I can. I don’t know what to think. Except, this is heaven.
“How did you know?” I whisper, my mind traveling in so many directions as I take this all in.
“I wanted you to have a hobby. I know you love basketball, cooking, and baking, but I think you want more. Ronan made a comment one day about how he thought you loved art. I winged it. By the look on your face, I would say our hunches paid off.”
I fly into his chest, wrapping my arms around his neck, squeezing him tight. “Thank you, Zeke. This is everything. You have no idea.”
His large palms rub up and down my back. They hold a powerful force that somehow starts my talking.
“I used to love to paint. Lived for it until the day I didn’t. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
18
Zeke
The torrid emotions remain clogged in my throat with every word that slips out of her mouth. However, her reaction, it stores t
hem in the back of my mind for the time being. It’s better than anything I could’ve imagined.
Those three words I’m dying to tell her are right under the clogged emotion in my throat. Instead of fighting with my mind to get them out, I simply enjoy this moment. For her.
In the chaotic world I live in, with work and the demons I hide, I’ve realized I don’t stop and relish precious moments like I should. This is something Amelia brought out in me. She’s teaching me how to live a better life without even realizing it. With every pound of my beating heart, every ounce of love I have for her, I know she’s experiencing them, too.
I want to groan in protest when she pulls away from me, and I begin to use the back of my hand to wipe away her tears. Happy tears. I don’t even have to ask.
She nibbles on her bottom lip. Her eyes go back to scanning the room, widening with every glance.
“This seems like nothing now, but I have a present for you, too.” She peers up at me shyly.
I raise my eyebrows, pulling her to back me, placing my hand on her hip.
“I ordered it three days ago before you told me about the plans for this weekend. It seems so silly now.”
“Amelia,” I warn.
She pulls a long, narrow box from her side. Hell, in all of my excitement, I never even noticed she had something in her hand. It’s wrapped in a shimmery, gold wrapping paper with a delicate royal blue ribbon tied around it. I don’t miss the fact she chose to top it off with the color blue. My heart swells understanding the hidden message nestled in that hue.
I take the box from her shaky hands, tearing the wrapping paper off, letting it flutter to the floor. Lifting the lid of the box and seeing what’s inside, it’s now me who’s fighting back emotions. A delicate ink pen lies in the middle of a white, fluffy bed. Dr. Zeke Hartley inscribed in a gold font. I pick it up from the box twirling it in my fingers. It’s then I notice the inscription on the other side. To make me soar.
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