This Man (18 page)

‘A few,’ I take the grip. ‘I have a lot of hair to keep up.’

‘A few hundred?’ he asks doubtfully.

‘You’re like a voodoo doll. There, I think I got them all.’ He takes the grips from my hand and puts them on the bedside table before sliding his hands over my shoulders and pulling me back so I’m against his chest, the outside of my bent legs resting against the insides of his.

He’s so comfortable, and my eyes are incredibly heavy. I’ve had a stupidly busy day, and I’ve just finished it off on a marathon of sex with this captivating man that I’m propped up against. Maybe I should go now. It will eradicate the risk of the

morning

awkwardness

that’s

guaranteed to descend on us come dawn.

But then I feel him wrap his forearms around my upper chest and my head automatically rolls back against his shoulder. I’m so comfortable and so sleepy, I‘m not going anywhere. With him breathing steadily in my ear and planting random kisses every now and then in my hair, it’s not long before I’m hypnotised by the sound of his steady breaths and my eyelids are heavy. I reach down and start stroking the outside of his legs.

‘How old are you?’ I mumble, feeling myself drifting off.

His chest jolts a little, indicating his quiet laugh. ‘Twenty three.’

I sleepily snort my disbelief, but I don’t have the energy to challenge him. I’m a slave to sleep and I’m gone.

Chapter 12

I wake up in the exact same position that I fell asleep in, except the duvet has been pulled up over my waist. Jesse’s arms are still wrapped around my upper chest, my hands resting on his forearms. The pungent scent of sex is in the air.

I need a wee.

I scan the room, looking for a clock.

What time is it? I hear Jesse’s soft, level breathing in my ear. I’m reluctant to move and wake him, but I really need the loo.

And I could leave before he wakes up and kicks me out.

I set about gently peeling his arms away from my sticky body. He moans a few times in his sleep, and I smile to myself.

I’m surprised at my lack of regret. I’ve woken with no feelings of remorse or mortification, whatsoever. This man is dangerous to my hearts health, I realise that, but there’s something about him. I should be repulsed by his persistence, but I’m not. I’ve no regrets, at all. But I also have no desire to outstay my welcome. Oh no, I’m definitely keeping the upper hand here.

Just when I think I’ve made good progress, I feel his arms clamp around me like a vice, effectively immobilising me.

‘Don’t even think about it, lady.’ he growls, his voice raspy with sleep.

I grip his forearms with my hands, trying to loosen his grip of me. ‘I need to use the bathroom.’

‘Tough. Hold onto it. I’m comfy.’

‘I can’t.’

‘I’m not letting go of you.’ He states it as a fact, nudging my hand away with a flick of his forearm while maintaining his hold on me.

I flop my head back against his shoulder in exasperation. His lips turn into my cheek, kissing it sweetly, his overnight stubble grazing me. It feels good, but it wasn’t the morning reaction I was expecting.

Once I feel he’s relaxed his grip slightly and is busy nuzzling my cheek, I make my move, but no sooner have I tensed my muscles to make my escape, I’m flipped onto my back, my thighs parted and my wrists pinned on either side of my head.

He looks down at me, his eyes bright and skipping with enjoyment. Oh yes, he’s deeply satisfied with himself, and he looks bloody glorious, with his disheveled hair and dark blonde stubble.

His morning erection is prodding at my willing opening, seeking entrance. I’m defenseless. My body responds to him without me even thinking, and the pain in my bladder is soon replaced by a distressed ache in my groin, my heart somewhere between my breast bone and my throat. His daybreak smell is a mixture of clean sweat and that heady fresh water scent I love so much. I’m high on it and not ignorant to the fact that I’m breathless. He must think I’m so easy.

Well, I am...with him.

He rubs his nose over mine. ‘Sleep well?’

He wants a chat now? Sparks are flying off all over the place down below and he wants to chat? ‘Very.’ I roll my hips suggestively.

His eyebrows rise, his lips twitch. ‘Me too,’

I wait, uncomplaining, for him to lower his face to mine. He wants to do this slowly, and that’s fine by me. If he would just hurry up!

He watches me closely as he slowly drops his face to mine, and when his lush lips finally brush over mine, I moan, opening

my

mouth

invitingly.

I

involuntarily tremble when he skims his tongue gently across mine, taking his time, slowly seducing my mouth and pulling back every so often to kiss my lips gently before he resumes exploring. Oh, I like gentle Jesse very much. This is a million miles away from the dominant sex Lord I was faced with yesterday.

When he’s happy he’s got me enthralled, he releases my wrists and leisurely strokes down the side of my body with the tip of his index finger. It’s enough to have me convulsing and rolling my hips as the pressure in my tummy spirals down to my core.

His touch is addictive, he is addictive.

I’m totally addicted.

I reach around to seize his rock-solid arse in my palms, and apply a little pressure, deliberately pressing his hips into mine. We both whimper in harmony against each other’s mouths.

‘I completely lose myself in you, lady.’

he mumbles against my lips. He pulls away, watching my face as he sinks slowly and purposely into me, inch by perfect inch, sending my hands flying to his back and my eyes squeezing shut. I’m full to the hilt.

He remains motionless, letting me adjust around him, his back tense, his breathing shallow. I know it must be taking everything out of him to be so still.

‘Look at me, Ava.’ he whispers.

I peel my eyes open, immediately finding his. His face confirms my thoughts.

His jaw is tense, his light frown line deeper than usual, and his green eyes are blazing. I roll my hips a fraction to signal I’m okay, and on my invitation, he slowly draws back until I’m sure he’s going to pull out, but then, bit by bit, he plunges straight back in to the deepest part of me –

in and out, in and out.

‘Hmmm.’ I moan on a long exhale.

‘I love sleepy sex with you.’ he breathes.

The deliberate, measured strokes are playing havoc with my self-control, and I’m pushing my hips up to meet his penetrations, sending him deeper and me higher. The feeling is extraordinary. I’m not going to be long if he keeps this up.

‘Is that good, Ava?’ he asks quietly. He knows it is. His gaze is still locked on mine, and I surprise myself that I can maintain the intimacy. I find it natural, with none of the expected awkwardness, discomfort or uneasiness. It’s like we’re supposed to be this way. How stupid.

‘Yes.’ I breathe.

‘Faster?’

‘No, just like this, please, just stay like this.’ This is just perfect. The hard, powerful and commanding Jesse is amazing, but right now, this is absolutely perfect.

His eyes swim as he regards me, continuing his measured dives in and out of me. I’m on the edge. I want him to kiss me, but he seems content with just looking at me. I link my legs around his lower back and run my hands up and down his arms in light, feathery strokes. On a slow withdraw,

he

pauses,

momentarily

appearing to gather himself, his eyes probing mine.

‘Enough of the sleepy sex.’ he murmurs as he surges forward, thrashing me in the deepest recesses of my body, not giving me a moment to adjust.

He cries out and retreats before repeating the delectable move again and again, slowly withdrawing and striking hard. The pleasure washes over me like an aggressive storm, sending my mind into orbit. His drives are controlled and exact.

I’m reaching my limit. I fist my hands in is hair, pulling his lips down to mine, running my tongue over his bottom lip and biting it lightly, letting it drag through my teeth as I pull away. He bursts forward again, his face tense as he finds my lips and kisses me passionately.

‘I’m never letting you go.’ he informs me around our kiss.

I’m so overwhelmed. He’s the most potent aphrodisiac to me. Unfamiliar feelings are flooding my mind and heart for this man.

‘I don’t want you to.’ I reply against his lips. Something has just landed in me, and I’m confused by it all.

He freezes suddenly, stopping the rhythmic drives that had me set to disintegrate in his arms. I wince at the lack of movement, my orgasm lying in limbo.

He’s still buried balls deep inside me as he pulls his head up and looks at me. I’m snapped out of my confusing thoughts immediately by the look of displeasure on his face.

Crap, wrong thing to say? I got caught up in the moment, that’s all. I look away from him. I’ve ruined it.

‘Look at me now, Ava.’ he demands, and I reluctantly return my eyes to his, finding his face has softened slightly.

‘We’re going to have this conversation when you’re sound minded and not crazy with lust.’ He draws back to the very tip of his thick erection and hovers over me.

He’s right, I’m not sound minded when I’m around him, especially when he has me like this. He cripples me with pleasure, and now he’s got me saying crazy shit.

His tongue sweeps his bottom lip and he pants through parted lips as he pushes forward, dragging my dormant orgasm back to life. My skin blazes as he pumps slow and hard, and as deep as he can get.

Smoothing my palms through his hair, I pull him back down to my lips and devour him, while he continues with his deliberate drives, pushing me closer and closer to yet another orgasmic orgasm.

‘I’m going to come,’ he mumbles.

‘Come with me, Ava. Give it to me.’

And with three more strikes, my mind goes blank and fireworks start exploding in my head. I burst beneath him on a loud cry.

‘That’s it, baby.’ He strains the words, joining me in my pleasure as I rein in my shouts, and moan, long and low.

His hardness expands, jerking within me, before releasing round after round of his hot, wet seed deep inside me. He collapses on top of me, pushing his hips hard against me, ensuring he empties every last bit of himself. I’m obliterated. We both lay entangled, panting and struggling for breath.

‘I don’t know what to say,’ he whispers against my ear.

I’m only just cognitive, still recovering from my orgasm, but I heard that loud and clear, and I’m not quite sure what to make of it. I think we’ve both said too much already. My own little declaration has made me a bit uncomfortable. That’s what happens when you get caught up in the moment. Lust, want and passion take over, and before you know it, ridiculous words are flying out of your mouth.

After a few minutes silence, I’m beyond uncomfortable, so I shuffle a bit under him.

‘Can I use the bathroom now?’ I ask.

He sighs, long and deliberately, so wanting me to be aware of his frustration.

I’ve no idea what he’s frustrated about, though. He’s had me plenty.

He slides out and heaves himself off of me, making a huge, exaggerated effort of flopping back on the bed. I peel myself from the covers, without a word, and pad across the white carpet into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I know he watched my every step. I could feel his eyes hammering into my naked back. The inevitable awkwardness has been delayed, but it’s here now. And it’s here with a vengeance.

I use the loo, wash my hands and take a few moments to psych myself up before I open the door. He’s still sprawled on his back, unapologetically naked, staring straight at me. I don’t know what to do.

Eventually, I turn back into the bathroom, grab a soft, white bath sheet from the tall towel rail and wrap myself in it, tucking the end in under my arm. I exit the bathroom, head straight to the bedroom door and out into the large living area. I spot the shattered glass all over the kitchen floor, and it promptly reminds me of last night when he unexpectedly pounced on me. It was always going to happen, whether he jumped me or not, but the easiness of our joined bodies has completely diminished, leaving space for only one thing…awkwardness

I find my bags by the front door and rummage through to get my phone.

Holy shit!
It’s seven thirty. Kate’s leaving in half hour – or supposed to be. I sent her a text to tell her that I was on my way home and I haven’t turned up. She hasn’t bloody called to find out where I am, though. Charming!

‘Fucking hell!’ I curse under my breath, spinning round and finding Jesse – still naked, looking really rather angry. What the hell has he got to be angry about? It riles me instantly.

‘Mouth!’ he growls at me on a scowl.

He’s
really
mad. Well, so am I. With myself! I scoop my bag up and head for his bathroom, collecting my discarded clothes on my way. ‘Can I use your shower?’

‘No!’ he snaps.

I laugh. ‘Don’t be a child, Jesse.’ My tone is condescending, and I give him an extra wide berth, passing him swiftly on my way back to the bedroom. I need
not
to be touching him.

I go to shut the door, but he slams his shoulder into it, all but barging in behind me. I make a point of glaring at him before I move away to turn the shower on. Is he mad about my crazy pillow talk? I can’t blame him. I’m pretty mad with myself.

He’s absolutely right; I should keep quiet during sex. Come to think of it, so should he. He said some pretty crazy shit too.

I dig through my bag to get yesterday’s tshirt, drop my flip flops to the tiled floor, throw my make-up bag by the sink and brush my teeth, and the whole time, Jesse stands there festering.

When the room is full of steam, I drop the towel, totally brazen – I’m pissed, I couldn’t give a flying fuck – open the shower door and get in to wash off four rounds of Jesse Ward. If I wasn’t so sticky, with sweat and cum all over me, I wouldn’t bother. I would be gone already.

The water is divine and relaxing, despite my scowling spectator, as I wash my hair, letting the water fall over me for the briefest of moments. But I’ve not got time to take full advantage of the soothing water. I open my eyes and the shower door is flung open, the cool air attacking my wet, naked body. Jesse is snarling at me.