“Nonsense. She’s got guests invited who expect to see you...if you know what I mean. I’ll be there in the morning.”
Without waiting for a reply, Avery rang off. Clay sighed resignedly. He knew his father would win--he always did. Clay glanced at Ellie. He’d rather be spending the next few days with Ellie instead of the contessa and her jet set friends.
Whatever happened, tonight was his and Ellie’s. He’d been looking forward to making love to her for weeks. Nothing was going to spoil it. He forced himself to put thoughts of his father aside and concentrate on the young woman on the sofa.
It wasn’t difficult to do.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Ellie sipped her champagne and knew she should be feeling the effects, but she wasn’t. Her nerves had returned, squeezing a hard knot in her stomach. She realized Clay had taken the seat beside her and was speaking to her in soft tones, but his words sounded as if they came from somewhere far away.
What are you doing here?Said a voice inside her head.You’re making a mistake.
“Ellie?” Clay’s deep voice finally reached her. “Dammit, Ellie, this isn’t supposed to be some sort of punishment.”
“I’m sorry, Clay.” She moistened her lips. “I guess the champagne isn’t working.”
Clay cupped his fingers beneath her chin. “I think I know what will.” He kissed her then, a soft, seductive kiss that sent shivers all the way to her toes. He nibbled the corners of her mouth and ran his tongue inside to tease and tangle with hers. She thought he would never stop and little by little, she didn’t want him to.
You’re all right, now,the little voice said.Clay knows what to do. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned into him and kissed him back with everything inside her.
Clay felt Ellie’s response and a wave of relief washed over him. He wanted this to be as good for her as he knew it would be for him. He was thick and hard, aching to be inside her. Shifting his weight on the sofa, he ignored the throbbing in his groin that had been building all day. He tried to get comfortable, but he didn’t stop kissing her. He couldn’t bring himself to break away.
He nibbled an earlobe, trailed kisses along her neck and shoulders while his hand teased her breast through the fabric of her dress. He could feel her trembling, not from nerves this time. She clung to him, kissing him back, running her hands down the front of his shirt. Clay unfastened the buttons and guided her fingers beneath the starched white cotton.
“Touch me, Ellie,” he whispered. “I need you.”
Ellie moaned. Clay’s muscles bunched at the feel of her small hands running over his chest, circling a flat copper nipple. With a soft buzz, Clay unzipped her little black dress, pushed it off her shoulders, then caught his breath at the sight of her lacy white teddy with its delicate pink satin bow. The sheer material clung tantalizingly to her ripe, feminine curves, outlined her luscious breasts. He pulled the narrow pink ribbon and they spilled forward, into his hands.
Clay groaned at the picture they made. “Lovely,” he whispered, his voice low and husky. Clay cupped them, caressed them, bent his head to take the dusky peaks into his mouth. Ellie arched against him, slid her fingers into his hair.
Ellie helped him out of his shirt, then traced the muscles across his chest. Dipping her head, she pressed her mouth over his heart, ringed his nipple with her tongue, her hand sliding up his thigh until she brushed the hardness straining beneath his zipper. With a gasp, she jerked her hand away and color flooded her cheeks.
Clay chuckled and shook his head. Flex had said she was a terrific lover, better even than Gabriella. She was certainly setting fire to his loins, but not because of her skills. In fact, just the opposite. Her innocence seemed so genuine, so endearing, he found himself struggling to go slow. He wanted to take her, drive into her, possess her, but he wanted to wring every ounce of pleasure out of it for her.
He glanced down at her snowy lingerie. The lacy white teddy and stockings enhanced the image of purity, the fetching sight making his blood pound. If this was a game, it was one of the most intriguing he’d ever played.
He caught her wrist and drew her hand down to his erection. She seemed reluctant at first, then she let him rest it on the bulge in his pants. For a moment, she didn’t move. Then, as if her curiosity were stronger than her fear, her fingers roamed over him, feather lightly touching the fabric, exploring, measuring the width and length.
“So big,” she whispered, eyes wide in her flushed oval face. A fine sheen of perspiration dampened the reddish hair at her temples.
Strangely pleased by her approval, Clay felt a wave of astonishment. Good God, he wasn’t some preening rooster. He didn’t need her approval to know he was a man. Bending his head, he kissed her. He wanted her out of her skimpy clothes, as luscious as they were. He wanted her in his bed.
Shirtless, but still wearing his pants, he came to his feet, scooped her into his arms, and headed for the bedroom. Ellie wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. When he reached the bed, he set her down gently, kicked off his kidskin loafers, unbuckled his belt, and took off the rest of his clothes. With obvious fascination, Ellie watched him, her eyes moving down his naked body.
“I hope you aren’t disappointed,” he teased, though he could see she wasn’t.
“You’re beautiful.”
“So are you, love.” Clay kissed her, his tongue gliding over hers, hers entwining with his, making him groan. They were both breathing hard. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes slightly unfocused. He pulled off her teddy and rolled down her stockings, leaving her naked and lovely.
Wanting to memorize the sight, he let his gaze roam over her. She was luscious and sexy, full-busted, curvy and sweet. Red-brown curls invitingly marked her sex, and it was all Clay could do to keep from tasting her there, bringing her to climax.
“Clay,” she whispered, breaking into his thoughts. “Please kiss me. I don’t want to get nervous again.”
Clay complied, covering her on the mattress and kissing her deeply again.
Ellie had never felt anything like it. Wherever Clay touched came alive. Her skin felt hot and tight. His hands seemed to be everywhere at once, gliding across her sensitive skin, cupping her breasts, teasing her nipples, driving her insane. His touch moved down her body to the flat spot below her navel, then lover, lacing through the triangle of curls beneath.
