As the tension in her belly coiled to exquisite levels, she dug her heel into his back, lifting her hips, seeking the climax he was driving her toward.
He rose and threw off the covers.
She released a loud sob of protest. Agonized denial.
They were both panting. He remembered to put on a condom, which was a nearly intolerable delay, then he dragged a pillow beneath her hips and hooked her legs over his arms.
His first thrust, imperative and wild, pushed a ragged groan from her lips.
He froze. “Too hard?” he asked through gritted teeth. His whole body quivered with strain.
“Too good,” she breathed and set her hands against the headboard so his next thrust went even deeper.
“Stay with me,” he growled as he quit trying to restrain his power, thrusting with all his strength, fast and ferociously intense as he drove them straight to the peak.
The second her breath hitched and the first flutter of orgasm arrived, he let go, locking his hips to hers while he bucked, joining her cries of pleasure with his own shouts of helpless triumph.
Waves of ecstasy rolled through her for long minutes, keeping both of them in exquisite stasis, pulses fading slowly, slowly, until he sagged all his weight onto her, both of them sweaty and shaking and trying to catch their breath.
She was utterly wrung out, barely able to breathe under the press of his body, but she twitched in protest when he started to gather himself. “Don’t go,” she whispered.
His hand clenched in her hair, and his damp lips scraped across her cheek to the corner of her mouth. “I’m not going anywhere, Meine Schönste. Don’t you, either.”
He had to roll away to remove the condom, but he returned immediately and gathered her close, allowing her to believe what he’d said with her whole, glowing heart.
Until the party on Saturday.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
JOY WAS GAININGconfidence with these parties and events, but this charity gala was the fanciest yet, increasing the pressure on her to look her best. To reflect well on Axel.
He was making important connections at these things. He’d been a little more open since their argument the other night, telling her how things were going with Otto—(poorly)—and that he was moving forward with his own firm, courting investors and preparing to take on his first few projects.
That worried her a little. What did he need her for if he had given up on taking over Vorstoben?
He hadn’t, he assured her. He had merely accepted that his dealings with Otto would take time so he was pursuing what he’d really wanted all along.
His new venture had lit a fire in him that was exciting to be around. She was already on cloud nine, having made the first cut at the audition process for the festival. Axel’s support in her dance aspirations meant the world to her, which increased her desire to do whatever she could to help him get what he wanted.
To that end, she had a professional style her hair and apply her makeup. She broke out the most expensive gown in her closet, one of pale blue satin that made her feel dipped in liquid moonlight. It flowed off one shoulder and down her body, clinging enough to accentuate her curves without being blatant about it.
“You look incredible.” He seemed transfixed as he watched her come down the stairs.
“So do you.”
He was in a tuxedo, jaw shiny and sharp, ice-blue eyes gleaming with such pride in her, her heart panged with pleasure.
He opened a box and held out a gorgeous bracelet with an aquamarine that closely matched her gown. It was set in ornate filigreed white gold that cuffed her wrist.
“I love it,” she said, biting her lip. “But why?” They had made up from their fight.
“I wanted to.” He kissed the heel of her palm, then her fingertip.
As he held her gaze, a potent silence fell between them, one that was becoming familiar. It was filled with a helpless sort of energy on her side. His was more difficult to interpret, but she had the suspicion he wanted to be closer to her, he just didn’t know how.
“Thank you,” she said softly, stepping closer to lightly touch her lips to his, taking care not to stain him with her lipstick. “You really don’t have to spoil me, you know.”
I’m here, she conveyed, basking in the warm admiration of his half-lidded gaze. She was starting to think she would be here forever. If he would let her.
