by Alicia Banks
“Yeah, yeah. Okay. I just didn’t see you doing that. I thought you were going to take up a hem, not cut off a scrap of it and use it for clothing.”
She laughed and did a twirl. “I thought I did good.”
Cassandra was unsure, but he could see that she was waiting for him to say one way or another. If she was trying to get him all uncomfortable and bothered, the clothing was doing its job just fine. He was ready to come unglued. Was that enough?
“It looks great, really.”
Antoine didn’t last very long. Now he had a swishing skirt and swaying tits to look at. Every move was sensual, and he retreated without much thought. Antoine was having a hard time focusing on much of anything. He needed to get away from her. Get some space, before he did something that he was sure to regret.
Cassandra asked him where he was going, but he couldn’t even look at her.
“I will be back later, okay?”
Then he was gone, door slammed, and he was heading for the hills, then the skies. How was he ever going to be able to be around her like that? It seemed impossible. Antoine stayed out for hours, trying to work off the friction caused inside of him. He’d been tired when he first got home, but now he was filled with such energy he couldn’t help but feel the surge of life inside of him.
Chapter 9
Cassandra
“Oh my God. Cassandra. What are you doing?!”
Cassandra smiled at the question. She told him that she was doing laundry. “You didn’t seem to like my clothes that I made, so…”
“Well, I can see that you don’t have them on, but why are you not wearing something else? Why are you on the couch like that, knowing that I was coming in?”
“Well, I remember you saying something about doing my portrait, and I thought maybe now would be a good time.”
Cassandra smiled so innocently and enjoyed the desire that leapt into his eyes. He obviously was not prepared for that answer, and he dropped a bag that was heavy and full of clinking tools down next to him. The door shut quickly, almost slammed, and it made her jump a little bit. For some reason, her whole body was shaking now. He just looked so fierce and maybe her plan was already backfiring. Cassandra had not thought it through, not really. Not like she was thinking about it now.
“If you don't want to, I can leave.”
“I don't think I would be able to let you leave, even if I wanted to.”
“What does that mean?”
“Just what it sounds like. You have really been messing with my head lately, Cassandra. Do you really think that there are no consequences for it?”
Cassandra didn't know if she particularly liked the sound of that. She definitely did not like the idea of consequences or anything like that. She was just trying to have fun, maybe seduce him a little bit, because she could feel this attraction between them. While she waited for him to make a move, he never did, so she decided that it would be good for her to do it.
Now, though, he was looking at her like he wanted to eat her, and it made her shake almost uncontrollably. She had never been so low-grade scared in all of her life. Cassandra had decided that she needed to lay naked across the couch, on one side, with her one leg propped up just a little bit. There was a pillow blocking his view to her most intimate parts, but it wasn't much coverage. And her breasts were out there and standing proud. The cold air had made them harden into tiny nuts.
When she started to insist that she was going to get up and it was silly for her to do it, he stopped her with a very sharp tone.
“You spent all this time getting yourself prepared and arranging yourself in such a way. The least I can do is give you that portrait. I feel like it's one that I'm going to want to keep, though.”
Cassandra could only nod her head in response. He was not leaving much room for her to make any kind of decision. The decision had apparently been made when she had decided to get undressed and lay about like that. What had she expected?
He told her not to move and Cassandra did not think she would be able to anyway. She was so nervous, trembling so much that her shoulders were shaking. He ran off to his room, apparently to get a pad and paper, but he instead came back with an easel and proper canvas. She asked him what he was doing, and his answer just made it all the worse.
“With this kind of subject, I want to make sure that I do it right.”
He had said something like that before, and it gave Cassandra much of the same feelings. She was not acting like herself. She was doing things that were against her better judgment for sure, and definitely not in her comfort zone. Cassandra wanted to believe that it was a good thing, but when he looked at her so intently and drew her for the next hour without making eye contact again, Cassandra didn't know what to think.
In that time, she had become more turned on than she probably had ever been in her whole life. Cassandra could feel the wetness slipping in between her legs and she was thankful for the pillow in front of her.
No sooner had she thought that, but then Antoine was moving from behind the picture. It was the first time that he had done so, and he walked toward her. Her heart started beating even faster than it had been going and she had no idea what he was doing. When he grabbed the pillow and pulled it away, looking down for several moments before he moved back, she could feel her face getting beet-red. Never had she been so embarrassed before. Cassandra wanted to cover up, but he warned her against it, even before she thought to move.
“Just like that, Cassandra. You wanted to be my subject, now do it properly.”
Cassandra had never been so exposed before. She was shaking badly, and she couldn't hide how his words were messing with her. Cassandra tried to keep the pose. She knew that she had to keep the pose, because she had been told to. She wanted to close her legs and cover up her hardened tits, but she did no such thing. Instead, she did exactly as he told her. Cassandra didn't move an inch.
Cassandra spent her time watching Antoine. He wouldn't take his eyes off of her for several moments and as it turned her on further, Cassandra worried that he would say that she was wetter. She was getting wetter by the moment, all the attention on her exposed flesh made it that much worse. Cassandra didn't know how much longer she was going to be able to stay there. She was just about to ask him how much longer he was going to be when he told her that it was done.
“Can I see it?”
Cassandra didn't really think through the request. She didn't think about the fact that she was going to have to walk toward him and that she was going to be completely naked. She didn't have anything close by to cover herself up with and since he had taken away her pillow, it seemed unsanctioned. Once again, she didn't want to make him upset.
She got up slowly and did her best not to reveal how nervous she felt. Cassandra tried to ignore the fact that he was so close. She didn't want him to know what was going through her mind. It would have made everything more difficult.
When she finally looked at it, she saw it was remarkably detailed. Cassandra couldn't believe what it looked like. She was enthralled with it and couldn't take her eyes off of it.
“Is that my copy?”
“Hell no. There's no way I'm giving that up.”
Cassandra asked the next question before she really thought about it. She was doing far too much reacting and not enough thinking things through. It was understandable, considering that she found it difficult to think when he was around.
“What are you going to do with it?”
“I am going to put it up on my wall, of course. Where else would a piece of art like that go?”
Cassandra couldn't hold his gaze. She was properly chastened for thinking that any part of her plan would work. She couldn’t even ask questions without being made to turn red and embarrass herself. What had seemed like an innocent question did not seem so innocent now. Why was it, then and only then, that she realized she was so close to him? All he had to do was reach out and touch her.
Instead of making a move toward
her, though, he took the canvas and walked off quickly. He told her to get some clothes on because they were going to have a meal soon.
Cassandra was left alone in the room, trying to figure out what had just happened. She had wanted it to turn out so differently, but obviously that was not meant to be. Her whole body was still on fire, every nerve ending calling out. Cassandra had to go to her room and pull herself together. How could he just walk away from that?
***
The next morning, she was wearing some of her newly-made clothes and she’d purposely put the hem up just a little bit more. He had been the one that said that was what he expected her to do. She noted the look in his eyes, but Cassandra still didn’t get the break in control and protocol that she was looking for. He wanted her, it was obvious, so why couldn’t she have him? Why did he deny them both what they needed?
“I see you were up sewing again last night.”
“Do you like it? I couldn’t sleep and needed something to do with my hands.”
“I do like it, but it isn’t something to wear outside. Just for in here.”
“Just for you?”
Antoine growled under his breath and Cassandra smiled to herself. Whether he made a move or not, it didn’t change how badly he wanted it. She could see it clearly in his expression.
“I don’t think you realize what you’re doing here, Cassandra.”
She shrugged. “I am pretty sure I do. You’re not cooperating, though.”
Cassandra smiled, trying to give him the come-hither look that she’d been rocking for a while now. She needed him, was practically throwing herself at him, and he just swiped her away.
Her confidence was dashed, and Cassandra didn’t try to tempt him any longer. She just ignored the feelings that were dying to come out. She ignored the throbbing that was caused with thoughts of him. Cassandra also tried desperately to ignore the increasingly frequent dreams she was having about dragons and mystery men. She was starting to figure that it was Antoine. He was taking over her mind. But for some reason, he wouldn’t take her body.
Cassandra had done everything she could think to do. She’d gotten literally naked and displayed herself for him, begging him silently to give her what they both needed. It hadn’t worked. She had to seriously consider the fact that she had seen it wrong and Antoine didn’t want her at all.
What else could it be?
Chapter 10
Antoine
Antoine walked in from another rough day and found himself even more bothered than when he’d left. Cassandra had started to wilt in the cabin, and she barely spoke to him, but he swore she was doing everything in her power to get his attention. And she had it, all of it.
Seeing her like that, feeling the pent-up need that had been stalking him for weeks now, he had had enough. Something inside of him snapped and he could no longer pretend like she wasn’t single-handedly driving him to the edge of insanity. Antoine couldn’t take it anymore.
“I can’t keep doing this, Cassandra.”
“Doing what?”
“This, pretending.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Cassandra was bent over, adjusting something and Antoine could have sworn that she was doing it on purpose. He’d noticed her enticing him for days now and Antoine also could swear that her skirts were getting shorter by the day. He was quite sure if he leaned his head just a little bit to one side, he would be able to see her panties in the current one.
She hadn’t even bothered to stand up and talk to him. She was doing something, organizing papers, something. All he could see was that round ass of hers in the air, calling to him, and he could swear that she was ready for him in all ways. He was off in his senses, not dealing with human women too much. To him, though, Cassandra was giving him all the signs, and he was hoping that today was the day that they could cut through all of the crap and both of them get what they wanted.
“How about the fact that your ass is always in my face?”
Cassandra stood up, feeling the light touch on her hip as she did. She looked behind her, but Antoine wasn’t letting her turn around. His body was now pressed up against hers, making it so that she couldn’t move. She made a whimpering sound and he asked her what it was that she wanted.
“You know what I want. Just a job.”
Antoine second guessed all of the signs. “Are you sure?”
His words were on her neck and she shivered, her body trembling against his in the most delicious way. Her ass went back against his groin and he groaned with the movement. She looked behind her and kissed him softly on the lips. It surprised him that she wasn’t going to pretend anymore. When she said the last bit, he thought for sure that he had been wrong.
“I’m not sure of anything but how good it feels with you so close. I just find myself attracted to you, Antoine. I know that I shouldn’t. You’re definitely off-limits, but I can’t seem to help myself. I need you.”
She tried to turn around again and Antoine stopped her. He was still trying to keep himself together. It was easier said than done. She was writhing against his body and he was so hard from the movement. Antoine had been wanting her since the moment that he’d seen her in the car. He’d been hard-pressed to describe a time where he had been more than ready like he was then. It was practically bursting out of him. He didn’t want to lose control but knew that he would if given half a chance.
It couldn’t go all the way. He repeated that to himself, as he pushed her forward, making their bodies mesh more than ever before. She gasped at the feel of him then and it was like music to his ears. Antoine couldn’t have asked for anything better and the sound emboldened him. He was able to put all of his fears aside and his hands moved around her body. He had waited so long to touch her breasts, always swaying in his face, teasing him. He wasn’t disappointed, either. They were still perky and firm, yet soft to the touch when he mashed them. Cassandra’s whimper was also hot.
Antoine didn’t want to go too far, too fast, but the way she was responding was like a dream, and he couldn’t help himself. He had to have her, needed her badly.
“Good thing this skirt is so short.”
He yanked it up and smacked the ass that was revealed to him. He had been trying to figure out what color her panties were. He never would have guessed that she wasn’t wearing any at all. That bothered him more than he cared to admit.
“Why were you walking around like this?”
“I’ve been walking around like this for days. You just now noticed.”
Antoine pressed his clothed member between her legs, and she whined. It felt hot, an inferno, and he wanted it. Nothing else was going to do, even as he told himself that it had to be that way. There was no time for anything else.
Quickly, he freed his long length and slid it in between her thighs. She gasped again, looking down as he pushed through her legs. He couldn’t believe how wet she was, making it easy to slide in and out as he saw fit. His hands were full of tit and his mouth was on her neck. All worked to bring her to completion quickly. Too quickly for his liking.
She gripped his arms and squeezed as he felt even more fluid on his thickness. A few strokes across almost ended with him inside of her. Antoine fantasized about pushing her the rest of the way down on the table and slamming in deep. He couldn’t decide if he wanted to do it or if he would. She was right there, he was lined up, and a few inches would be all it took.
Antoine had gone into it knowing he could only go so far. If he went too far with her, or any human, it was a step that he couldn’t take back. Antoine didn’t want to believe that she had some kind of hold on him, but there was more proof of that than anything else. He had fought the desire to slide inside of her for too long, and it would have been so easy.
He pulled back, bit her shoulder and moved away, breathing hard and knowing that he’d gone too far.
“I’m going to be out the rest of the day. I will see you later.”
Just l
ike that, Antoine was running away from her and all of the emotions that she brought up inside of him. He knew that if he wasn’t careful, he was going to fall for that human, if he hadn’t already. He had suspicions that he already had, but Antoine couldn’t admit it, not yet.
***
“Are you sure you’re alright to do this, Antoine? You look like you’re a million miles away right now. Where are you? That damn human has been getting to you again, hasn’t she? I told you, you just need to bang her, so you can think straight.”
“No offense, Nathan, but you can keep your nuggets of wisdom to yourself. I don’t expect you to understand.”
“Oh no, I get it. You want her, you don’t want to want her, and that pisses you off. Been there, done that. It could work out.”
“We’re here to attack your new territory. Do you really want to be talking about this right now?”
“I don’t really want to go in there with you, like this. You need to get your head straight. Maybe this isn’t the day for it.”
They were outside of the main village in the Simpico Islands. The foliage from certain trees were red and when the sun went down, everyone said it looked like it was on fire. It had been named the Fire Islands long before it was named something else for map makers. Nathan now was the Alpha of the whole island and the people there, but he was still getting resistance. They were there to take them out for good and end a feud.
“I got this.”
“You don’t. I am serious, let’s go. I don’t want to do this until you fuck that little human, so that we can do this right. I won’t have you handicapped and getting us both killed in the process.”
Antoine wanted to protest, but he knew that his friend was right. He was about useless, and everything that was going through his head at the moment had nothing to do with a major attack that they were in the middle of. He just didn’t want to admit that he had been messed up so badly by a damn woman. It didn’t matter her genus, just that fact alone was embarrassing. The very fact that Nathan knew about it just made it all the worse.
