The second Tim had given him the opportunity to take her away for some much-needed privacy, he’d pounced on the chance to get her alone. They’d played their parts at the falls and it killed him not to be able to touch her, especially after his revelation. Love. He was in love with her.
It was still too new and he wasn’t sure if he was imagining his feelings growing. They’d spent a lot of time together. Perhaps absence was what he needed.
He released a bark of laughter at his own stupidity. Belle was riding his cock, her snug pussy holding him hostage and he needed time away from her? He was more delusional than he thought.
The orgasm hit in a wave, his hands on her curvaceous ass flexing, holding her in place. Her own breath caught, nails digging into his chest. His head fell back on the seat and he planted his feet on the floor, body bowing beneath her weight.
Breath panting from parted lips, her eyes darkened with satiation. He caught her mouth, molding his lips to her pliant ones. Relaxing back into the seat, he cupped the side of her neck, his fingers delving deep in her hair. Kissing Belle had become a fixation. He couldn’t stop; never wanted to stop. She broke the kiss, her forehead resting against his. He allowed his thumb to brush the taut skin of her thigh, content to sit like this forever.
“A perfect end to a perfect date,” he said, massaging her scalp. “Now about the underwear…”
“They’re from one of the sponsors. I wasn’t going to wear them but the wardrobe person talked me into it. She warned me that it wasn’t unusual for the other women in the house to drop in unannounced.” She moved her head to rest on his shoulder, snuggling into his lap.
“What exactly would they just drop in for? A little girl on girl action?” Somehow, he knew Belle wasn’t the type, but he wasn’t above teasing her.
“To scope out the competition. Irina is pretty intimidating and the physical therapist, I can never remember her name, is in great shape.” She shrugged her bare shoulders, her breasts plump against his chest.
“You have nothing to worry about. You have all the right curves in all the right places.” Their first night together had resulted in multiple rounds of sex. Would tonight be more of the same? It would be great but he’d also be content to stay like this, holding her in his arms.
“I’m glad you think so,” she said, yawning. “Are you sure the cameras are turned off?”
“You’re just asking me now?” His spirit was willing but his body wasn’t ready to cooperate. Not yet. Damn. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t indulge in a good old-fashioned make out session. Lots of hot kisses with the woman who meant everything to him.
“Apparently.” Sarcasm underlined her words.
“Yes, I’m sure. Darius’s people gave me the app for the security system. I don’t think they meant to, but they gave me all access. I can control the entire property. Wish I would have known that night we were caught but…” he shrugged, his own eyelids growing heavy.
“We should be getting back before Tim comes looking for us.” She didn’t sound enthusiastic, nor was he.
“Or Darius finds out. Tim’s a nice guy, I’d hate for him to lose his job.” Reluctance weighed his limbs and he made no move to follow through with his words. Neither did she.
A frog croaked and was answered by another. Crickets joined in the concerto and nature serenaded them.
“Tomorrow is the last judging. I hope my ploy worked and I don’t make it to the last round. I’ve never liked drawing attention to myself.”
“I’m a ham, if you couldn’t tell.” He fiddled with a curl, the texture smooth between his fingertips. “Ever since my kindergarten production of I’m a Little Tea Pot, I was hooked.”
“Were you the teapot?”
“Front and center. My teacher created a monster. My mom still has the teapot costume.” It was before his father had died and he’d seen the world with wonder and possibilities. After his death, his mother had fallen into a deep depression and it was like he’d lost both parents for a time.
“No way? That’s hilarious,” she said on a husky laugh, drawing him out of the dark time in his life that he wanted to forget.
“Yep. She made it from cardboard and one of those spoof umbrellas without a handle, you know the kind that rest on your head?” The memory still made him chuckle. He rested his head on the top of hers, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her shampoo, along with the earthy scent of her satisfied body.
“Is your mother an artist too?” She traced a fingertip along his tattoo, weaving the pattern of the feathers.
“Yes, she’s a painter. She and Steph paint watercolors.” He missed his family on a daily basis. One day he might return to Arkansas. But the one truth in life was that everything changed and he could never go back to where he was and could only move forward. The advice that Belle’s mother had given her.
“My mother never had time to do much but work. She always tried to read me a bedtime story. When you talk about literacy, it’s something else dear to my heart.” Her expressive face grew serious, a sadness dimming her eyes.
He continued to stroke her arm with his thumb, silently giving her his support.
“Mom dropped out of school and lived on the streets for a while before she had me. She could read but not well. She only had one job until I was old enough for school and that was the janitorial one. Her boss used to let me go to work with her,” she said with a nostalgic smile.
“She had a rough life.” Erik wished he could wipe the hurt from her voice. He’d been lucky enough to have a strong extended family his entire life. She’d been alone in the world after she lost her mother. It was with perseverance that she found J.J. She really was an astonishing woman.
“In a way yes, but in other ways, no. Believe it or not, some of my fondest memories of her were at work.” The beginning of a smile tilted her lips. Wistfulness and love filled her voice. “She’d be cleaning office buildings and I’d read to her.”
