My heart ramps, beating wildly against my chest wall, an ache scorching me from the inside out. My hands go to her face, needing to keep her there. She begins to grind her bared pussy against my aching dick, and a hoarse groan expels from my mouth.
But no, I’m not letting her take that shit again. I’m going to have her fully naked, skin-to-skin, letting me ravish every inch of her. With hurried movements, we make quick work of losing our clothes. I strip her of her thermal; she tears at the buttons of my shirt. Her skirt is lost to the floor as I push her back on her knees and wriggle it down her thighs and toss it aside. My jeans are discarded right along after she frees my zipper and hauls them down. Then she’s taking me in her hands, both of them, and my eyes close on a hiss.
Kneeling before her, my muscles strained and my jaw locked, I feel my balls tighten as she strokes me from root to head. My eyes open, my gaze flicks to her heated eyes, filled with want. Her round breasts heavy, silky pink nipples peaked, are begging for my attention. Her breastbone betrays the stress she’s under—from her parents, school, maybe even possibly me; though I’m not that vain to believe I measure up in her world—as they protrude over the swell of her breasts.
But it’s not enough to take away from her beauty; only make me desire her all the more, wanting to shelter her from the world that wants to destroy her. Before I can lose myself in the sensation devastating me at the feel of her gripping my cock, I pull her to me and kiss her lips. Softly, tenderly, letting my feelings for her melt through her with each sweep of my tongue.
Grabbing the backs of her thighs, I lift her, and she wraps her legs around me. I cradle her against me, moving my palms desperately over her body until they’ve found her shoulders, then I’m bringing her down hard against me.
A fierce shudder of pure bliss racks me as her wet, slick lips slide sensually along the shaft of my cock. God, but I would die to be inside her—just like this. No barrier between us. But then I really would be lost. I’ve never felt that with any girl before, and Ari would end me—needing her to be the last.
I hold her back as I ease us to the bed, pressing her into the mattress, as if the solid object beneath us will get her that much closer to me. My mind is spinning, her scent and soft skin draining me of any willpower.
As I reach over to my nightstand, she stills beneath me, and a shot of alarm fires through my awareness. I pull back to look at her.
Her gaze dances over my face. “You have to promise me something,” she says, her voice cracking at the end.
If she thinks there’s anything I wouldn’t vow to her in this moment, she obviously doesn’t realize how much she’s infected me—how much she owns me. In answer, I kiss her. Softly brushing my lips against hers.
Her quick inhale steals over me with dread. “Let me trust you, believe in you, for however long this lasts. I don’t expect a commitment, because that would be the ultimate hypocrisy on my part…” She trails off. “But I need to at least believe
I’m not a conquest.”
I part my lips to say all the things that will chase away her doubt, every profession that this is beyond anything I’ve ever experienced, and that I’m scared shitless, too—but she breaks my thoughts apart with, “And you can’t fall for me.”
My mouth clamps shut. I can’t make that promise, because that was a done deal the second she looked at me with those bottomless amber eyes. I have to give her something, though. Anything that will alleviate the fear I see in those eyes right now.
“And yet I’ve fumbled the whole way,” I say, giving her a cocky grin. It works, and she smiles, her body vibrating beneath me as she releases a throaty laugh. I run my thumb along her cheek, saying, “Rather, how about this. I’ll only fall as far as you do.”
As soon as it leaves my mouth, I regret it. It was meant as a dare; but it’s more than clear my feelings for her run deeper than hers for me. And though I’m pretty confident in my abilities to get the job done where most girls are concerned, Ari is not most girls—I’m in over my head with her. Not sure if I can win her completely over before her family steals her away. Before some douchebag is putting a ring on her finger. The thought has me furrowing my brows, and Ari reaches up to smooth her thumb between the crease.
“I want to make this last as long as I can with you,” she says, revealing nothing, but bringing me back to the now with her. I cover her mouth with mine, desperate to seal the deal between us.
And as I enter her, driving deep and going long, the outside world and its threats against us fall away. My aim is to bring her there with me, infuse her with the same shattering need she’s consumed me with. But as I groan and release deep inside her, her body pulsing with a sweet ache that hugs me tightly, I know I’m far, far more gone.
23
Arian
I’m so stupid happy.
I keep writing similar things in the margin of my literature themes notebook. Along with doodling Ryder’s name and mine in different combinations—like I’m sixteen and lovesick—I can’t suppress the need to express this feeling of pure bliss.
Even Becca’s call can’t put me in my usual anxiety laden mood. I continue to scrawl my little thoughts down my paper as she drones on about the Reilly’s upcoming dinner party. Which, my father convinced his longtime friends to host at his place. Becca is in party planning heaven. Since the charity banquet, my father’s fears over the audit and how it will affect his firm have been assuaged. For the most part, thanks to Mr. Reilly, himself—the business merger doing exactly what my father predicted.
I should feel suffocated, and fearful, but I’m smiling while Becca reminds me that I’m required to attend this weekend. My father won’t take no for an answer this time.
“Lucas has been asking after you nonstop. He even asked your father your ring size,” she says. That catches my attention, and I sit up and toss the notebook aside. “You made a real impression on him, regardless of that gown. Oh, but I have the perfect dress for you! You need to try it on and let Greta take some measurements first, though. No surprises, right?”
I shake my head, trying to focus on what she said amid that rant. “What are you talking about? I only danced with him once, and it was like, two seconds at the end of a song.”
She picks up like she never lost steam on the topic. “You two have known each other your whole lives, Ari. Just be grateful he cares nothing about the Dartmouth scandal.” She sighs heavily. “Honestly, we couldn’t hide it from everyone. But Lucas is so taken with you. It’s adorable. Like you’ve both been engaged since you were little.” She squeals. “Oh! Maybe that’s what we’ll tell the press. But anyway, don’t be surprised if he proposes at the dinner. Just be prepared. Your father’s gone all out for this occasion.”
Vee walks into our room and it’s my chance to get far away from this conversation. “Becca, I have to go. Vee needs my help with something.” Vee’s eyebrows shoot up, and I wave my hand.
“Fine,” Becca concedes. “Email your father. He’s been worried about you.” Then she ends the connection.
I let the phone drop to my lap and then run my hands over my face, groaning. “God, someone give that woman a Valium.”