He raises his brows expectantly, but I can’t do it. I can’t say the words. Instead, I throw my arms around his neck and pull him into me for a kiss. With his arms wrapped around me he charges forward and gives me no option other than to stumble back. Fingers that seconds ago were clasped around me are now unfastening my dress.
We stagger toward the bed and drop items of clothing on our way. My dress, his suit jacket, my bra, my panties…
The back of my legs collide with the mattress and it’s here we stop walking and start exploring one another. There is no softness to his touch, nor is there softness to mine. My nails dig deep into his back, indenting, clawing and scratching. His beard burns my face as he kisses me deeper and harder than he has ever kissed me before.
My arm shakes as I tentatively reach between us and take his cock in my hand. I grip him firmly and start to work his velvety shaft up and down. Without warning, he slides a finger between my folds and begins circling my clit. Waves of pleasure course through me as he hits the spot.
“I want to see you come,” he growls into my ear. Warm breaths lap against my cheek as he works his free hand up my back, my spine and my neck. I gasp as he fists my hair. My eyes snap open as he holds my head back and gives me no choice but to look straight into his eyes.
He offers me a smile that ignites a molten fire in my stomach and leans in close. Instinctively I pucker my lips and try to meet him halfway, but he doesn’t plan to make it that easy for me. My lips are inches from his, and I figure this is how he wants it to remain. I try again to close the distance between us, but his grip on my hair tightens, preventing me from getting closer. Embarrassment very quickly tightens its hold on me, because I literally have nowhere to hide. I suck my lower lip in and close my eyes.
“Look at me,” Lucian demands, and I do. Piece by piece I fall apart, until my legs tremble beneath me and my breathing becomes heavy.
Finally, his lips crash onto mine. He kisses me long and hard, sucking my bottom lip into his mouth. This isn’t a kiss, no, this is something entirely different. He’s drinking in my orgasm.
“I’ve got to be inside you.” He gives me a nudge. My gravity shifts as I fall onto the bed. I prop myself up on my elbows and watch as Lucian takes a condom packet from the nightstand drawer. With a savage look in his eyes he tears the packet open with his teeth and slowly works the latex down his length. When every inch of him is sheathed, he grabs my thighs and drags me toward him. I squeal as he lifts my legs, places them on his shoulders and pushes his cock inside me.
“Lucian,” I cry out. He isn’t gentle, nor is he slow. His thrusts are hard, savage, deep and demanding. Pain and pleasure become one and, lowering my leg, I hook my calf around his ass and demand more. With his free hand he grabs my hip and moves me in time to his quickening pace. Faster and harder, he’s merciless in the way he takes me. I feel his release, and he holds me in his arms for long seconds after.
“I love you, Chelsea,” he says, before slowly pulling out. He leans down and kisses me, slow and sensual, which is a complete contradiction to how he has just taken me.
His teeth graze my lips in a soft bite, and he breaks the kiss. “I should go clean up.”
“Maybe I should help you.”
Lucian quirks a brow. “You should definitely help me. Right after you cancel the taxi.”
I smile and do just that. I call the taxi firm to cancel my booking and, with our fingers laced together, I follow him to the shower. The warm water cascades over our bodies and he grabs the bar of soap, lathers it up and glides it over me. Over my back, my chest, and in slow sensual circles over my stomach. He places the soap back in the chrome dish and reaches for the bottle of shampoo.
“Turn around,” he whispers, and I do. With my body flush against his, he lathers my hair up. I bite back a smile at his erection that is pressing into my back.
He gives my arm a gentle squeeze, and together we step under the shower head. The water washes over my hair and over my body, transforming the products into a white foam that puddles around our feet before disappearing into the plug hole.
I take the soap from the dish. “Your turn.”
Once dry we lie in bed, wrapped up in one another’s arms. With my head against his chest, my ear is met with the melodic beat of his heart. I like being this close to Lucian and having him this close to me.
“Tell me,” I say, and at the same time run my hand over his broad chest. “Out of all the buildings in Cornwall you could have bought, why mine?”
Lucian raises a brow. “I thought the answer was obvious.”
I smile and am filled with a rush of heat. Though the heat is soon replaced by guilt that bubbles in the pit of my stomach. “That shop was Tyler’s livelihood.”
Lucian frowns. “I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone. I only wanted the building. It was never my intention to transform the shop into an estate agency.”
“So why did you?”
“Because I thought it would give me the upper hand in acquiring the housebuilding company.”
“And did it?”
Lucian shrugs. “Honestly, I have no idea. But I would like to think so. I’ve put my blood, sweat and tears into that company. Calloway Housebuilders is who I am, and without it…”
“What?” I prompt.
“I’ll lose my identity.”
I take in a sharp inhale. It saddens me to think that Lucian feels this way. “There is more to life than work and money.”