Catch My Breath (16 page)

"Hey," Alastair's quiet voice and soft touch brought me back to reality. "Where'd you go?”

“Take me home.”

“Now? What’s—“

I kissed him to avoid any questions.

“Please. Take me home.”

He nodded, confused. I walked to his car in a fog. The ride back to my apartment was stone silent and crackled with tension. As I expected, he was fully enclosed in his impenetrable shield. We didn’t exchange words until we stood in front of my door.

“Do you want to come inside?” I asked, unlocking it.

“I don’t think that’s wise.” His strained answer was unconvincing.

With very deliberate movements, I grabbed his hand and pulled him into the living room toward the oversized couch. The element of surprise worked in my favor. He collapsed onto the cushion in stunned silence. Straddling his lap, a charge roared through me. I ran my nails down his chest, feeling his muscles.

When I reached the waistband of his pants, I slid my fingers under it before unbuttoning them. Staring straight in his eyes, I reached down into his boxer briefs until I felt what I wanted. He gasped and quivered when I wrapped my fingers around him.

“What are you doing?”

“What does it look like?”

“This wasn’t—”

“You told me not to overthink anything today.” I squeezed him. Alastair groaned and crushed his mouth to mine. Goosebumps poked out all over my skin the second he slid his hands under my dress and up my thighs. I shuddered and sighed into his kiss. He traced his fingers along the edge of my underwear, setting fire to the kerosene that was coursing freely in my veins.

“Jesus. You’re almost ready.” He ripped the material off, tossing the tattered pieces on the floor.

“You like destroying my clothes.”

“No talking.” He slid his tongue past my lips, melting into me.

Shifting his body to the left, he pulled something out of his pocket. I heard the sound of foil tearing.

“Slide back a little,” he instructed. I did as I was told, trying not to watch too eagerly while he rolled on the condom.

The second his hands grasped my thighs again I sat up on my knees. I watched his expression shift while I guided him inside me. The fullness and pressure was exquisite. Alastair closed his eyes briefly, euphoria and agony rushing across his face. I took him in, inch by inch, reveling in the way he felt against my tender skin.

A low, gravelly moan vibrated in the back of his throat, spurring me on. He was a little bigger than I anticipated, but the slight discomfort was worth it.

“Easy. Go easy. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You’re not going to hurt me,” I whispered.

Rolling and grinding my hips, I clutched the back of the couch. I sheathed him completely, becoming bolder in my movements. He thrust into me, unleashing a wave of ecstasy so powerful I cried out, almost coming on the spot.

“You feel too good,” I moaned. Perspiration misted over my body. Alastair grabbed my hips and held me still. His deep, methodical thrusts nearly split me in two.

Our eyes locked. He was more beautiful now than I’d ever seen him. Gone was the veiled, guarded barrier. I saw into his soul, wanting more. He snapped his eyes shut as though he revealed too much. Pure, carnal desire took over. I wanted, no, I needed to lose myself completely in him. My pace quickened, taking him faster and harder.

“Slow, Lia. I want this slow.” He bit his lip and slid his fingers around the back of my neck, bringing our foreheads together. Pressing his other hand to my lower back, he held me in place.

I tangled my fingers in his hair and pulled it. His low moans were erotic as hell. I was so intimately entwined with him it nearly brought me to tears. Our bodies moved in perfect rhythm. He was holding onto me so tightly, I couldn’t escape. I was at his mercy. He was everywhere - beneath me, inside me, around me.

I slanted my head, kissing him long and slow. Being so completely connected with him sent a surge through me. With a gasp, he laid his head back. Seeing him so gloriously sprawled beneath me, losing himself with each avaricious movement, was empowering.

He brought our foreheads together again, holding the back of my neck. His grasp on my lower back tightened, intensifying every thrust.

Each one hit me perfectly, turning my mind into a delightful mess. An orgasm came fast and ruthlessly, seizing my body in a frenzy of tingling waves. I clenched around him, calling out his name. It was possible I dipped out of consciousness. The next thing I knew, his body went taut, then relaxed beneath me.

Raspy, heavy breathing filled the room as we both tried to collect ourselves. Our foreheads were still pressed together in an ardent, heated embrace. I cupped his face, kissing the salty sweat off his lips. He returned my gentle kisses tenfold, stroking my cheek with such reverence that it unnerved me. Feelings that I wouldn’t allow to surface fought ferociously to reveal themselves. His other hand was still pressed against my lower back, keeping us fused together. I moved gently.

“Not yet,” he moaned.

The longer he stayed inside me, the more I wanted to have him again. I was sensitive, but still aroused. He seemed to sense my thoughts and released his grip. I climbed off him aware of how silky smooth he was pulling out of me. I couldn’t help myself and looked down at his magnificent body.

I knelt on the couch next to him. My legs were nothing but trembling noodles. Alastair peeled off the condom and tied it in a knot. Once he got himself situated, he fetched me some tissues from the box on the coffee table so I could clean myself. It was an incredibly intimate gesture. He even half-turned his back to give me some privacy before sitting.

“You surprised me,” he said, running a hand through his hair.

“Did I? How so?”

Swallowing hard, he clasped his hands together, turning the knuckles white. When he looked at me, I stopped breathing. His eyes were naked and raw, filled with emotion.

“You make me feel,” he whispered.

“Feel what?”

“Everything.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

A crackling boom reverberated through the apartment. Light illuminated the room, throwing jagged shapes across the walls and floor. I jumped, burrowing deeper into Alastair’s chest. Orlando was notorious for lightning strikes and they never ceased to scare the crap out of me.

"Scared of a little thunder and lightning?"

I could hear the smile in his voice. Aside from the bright intrusion courtesy of Mother Nature’s megawatt smile, it was dark. We hadn’t moved from the couch for an eternity. I supposed at some point I should get up and turn on the lights, but staying tangled with him was much more appealing.

“I’m not a fan. Although I should be used to it by now. Storms like to pop up uninvited all the time.”

The shrill ringing of a cell phone made me jump again. I sat up so Alastair could reach into his pocket. The second he saw the screen, he groaned with annoyance.

"Duty calls. I won't be long." He stood with all the grace of a king and walked toward my bedroom to take the call.

Wasn’t it a bit late for work? What did I know. I wasn’t in charge of the finances for a global media company.
He must get calls at all hours of the day and night.
Since his grandfather retired, he was probably taking on more work seeing as they hadn’t named a new CEO yet.

I flipped on the lights and stopped at the windows. Rain pelted the glass in a furious crescendo. A single vein of lightning cracked through heaving black clouds, sending a shiver straight down to my toes. The storm’s billowing rage gave me pause, almost as though it was warning me that I’d tempted the fates and lost.

Shaking off the weird feeling, I curled up on the couch and turned on the television. There was a plethora of stupid movies on to choose from. I settled on one about a ginormous shark battling an even bigger snake.

"I can see the last of your brain cells running for help," Alastair chided, appearing from the bedroom.

“All done with work?”

He nodded, folding his lean body onto the cushion next to me. "Yes. A good thing too. This so-called entertainment will stunt your intellect."

"Well, excuse me. I had no idea you could be so persnickety."

"Persnickety?" Alastair grabbed my waist and squeezed, a drowsy smile playing at his lips.

Another loud ring echoed through the room. This time, it was my phone. I squirmed out of his grip and grabbed it.

“Hey, Steph.”

“Ah! You’re there. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

It was so good to hear her melodic voice.

“Nope. How was the conference?”

I held up a couple fingers to let Alastair know I wouldn’t be long. He stretched out on the couch, folded his hands behind his head and winked at me.

“It was alright,” she answered. “Anything exciting happen there?”

I hesitated. “No.”

“You’re even a bad liar over the phone. What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” I turned away from Alastair and walked into the kitchen.

“Did Nathan show up at the gala? Don’t lie to me.”

“Yeah.”

“Asshole. Did you see him?”

“It’s a long story. We’ll talk about it later.”

“Why not now?” Her voice rose an octave. “Oh Jesus, he’s not there, is he? I’ll—“

“No, no, he’s not here.” I’d never get her off the phone if she got wind I wasn’t alone.
Think, Lia, think.
“I was just about to hide under the blankets and watch bad movies to distract me from the storm.”
Weak. She’ll smell right through that pile of fertilizer.

“I don’t believe a word coming out of your mouth.”
Shit.
“What’s going on over there?”

I sighed, not wanting to have to explain everything to her. “There was a…I had an incident at the gala with Nathan. I’m fine. Um, Alastair was there… he intervened and took care of everything. He’s here now.”

Glancing over at the couch, I noticed he wasn’t stretched out anymore. He was sitting up watching me closely, elbows on his knees, fingers steepled in front of his mouth.

“Alastair is there? At your apartment? What do you mean an incident?” Stephanie sounded more and more upset.

“I promise I’ll tell you about it. Just, not now, okay?”

Silence. I closed my eyes, willing her to speak.

“Be careful, Lia. You’re vulnerable. Don’t let him take advantage of you.”

“I won’t.”

“Call me tomorrow. Or call me later if you need anything.”

I hung up, preparing myself for the inevitable questions that were coming. A rumble of thunder, like a distant avalanche, echoed outside.
How appropriate,
I thought, sitting on the couch.

"Would you mind if I undid this?" Alastair asked, tugging on my braid.

Not quite the question I expected.

“Oh. Sure. Go ahead."

He inched closer, kissing my forehead. I watched him with great interest as he concentrated on freeing my hair. His fingers moved slowly, loosening the elastic and untwisting the strands. Running his hand through the dark waves cascading over my shoulders, he kissed me again. Sparks rustled in my stomach, signaling that all systems were go.

“Wait.” I pulled back.

“What’s wrong?” Lowering his head, he licked at the soft skin below my ear. Hooking his arm around me, he urged me closer, kissing my collarbone and clavicle. I couldn’t think straight. Thunder roared outside mirroring the thumping of my heart. His hands roamed freely over my body, touching and exploring.

“Lia,” he moaned, his breathing labored and ragged.

We collapsed onto the cushions. The heaviness and warmth of his body surrounded me. Alastair hovered over me, his right knee on the cushion and left foot planted on the floor. Using one arm to support himself, he grabbed my thigh with his right hand, sliding up my dress.

My throat burned with desire when the friction from his pants rubbed against my bare skin. I grabbed a handful of his hair, pulling his mouth to mine. The atmosphere was thick with lust and need. Which one had me kneeling at the altar? I’d already lost control and let lust have its way with me. Now it was need’s turn.

“I want you,” he murmured against my breast, kissing it through the cotton.

I wanted him, too. Even more, now that I knew how he sounded and felt during sex. I still couldn’t believe I’d been so intimate with him already.

Stop. I have to stop. I’m doing everything too fast again.

His fingers grazed the sensitive flesh between my thighs, making my toes curl. It felt too good. He felt too good. When paired together, lust and need were a powerful duo.

Gliding my hands along his back, I felt each knotted muscle through his t-shirt. Teasing my needy skin, he came dangerously close to driving me over the edge with the flick of his fingers.
He could make me orgasm with just a kiss if he wants.

“Alastair…I … ”

Crystal clear green eyes met mine, boring into me. Poised above me like a beautiful, tragic angel, he smiled.

“Hush. I want to feel you. I want to feel this way a little longer. Then we can talk. I promise.”

I closed my eyes, surrendering to him. Rain slammed against the windows, thunder rolled overhead and lightning snapped while he peeled off what few clothes I had left. Each nerve ending stood at attention, waiting for his next caress. I was a ball of sensation. It was far too easy for me to get lost in the haze of Alastair.

Don’t let him take advantage of you.

Stephanie’s words and my own scattered thoughts weren’t enough to distract me. I’d been so starved of genuine affection for too long. Tracing the contours of my body first with his hands, he then covered me in velvet kisses. Every brush of his lips was laced with reverence and adoration.

“My Lia,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. ”You make me feel too much. It hurts.”

Pressing his forehead to mine, he shuddered. I moved a bit so he’d have room to lie next me. The tortured expression that seized his face broke me.

“It’s okay,” I cooed, holding him close. Wrapping himself around me, he hugged me fiercely. Whispered words fluttered through the air like silken strings, barely touching me before disappearing. The strands were enough to remind me of his nightmare and his screaming.