“I did warn you about those high heels.”
She shrugs her shoulders. “I can’t do without my high heels. They make me feel sexy and feminine.”
I let my gaze glide over her long legs, farther up until I reach her face. Her cheeks have turned red because of the cold wind, and I find myself taking a step closer to her. She gasps for breath and waits unsure of what I’m going to do.
“You don’t hear me complaining,” I say. She looks away shyly, but I put my finger under her chin and make sure she looks at me again. “You are a very beautiful, sensual woman, Valérie. You don’t need high heels for that.”
A loaded silence hangs between us. But in the end, she nods. “Thank you.”
“No thanks necessary.” I offer her my arm, and she immediately hooks hers into it. We continue walking back to the hotel. The tension between us crackles so badly that you can almost hear it. We get into the elevator and wait until we reach our floor. Luckily there are other people in here with us, otherwise, I would jump her right now. At the next stop the last two people get out, and we go to the top floor with just the two of us. I can see how she’s thinking about what is going to happen. The tension has built up all evening to this moment, and I will be honest, with every other girl, I would have already had my hand in her panties and my tongue deep in her mouth. But this is not just any girl; this is Valérie. So, I remind myself that I’m trying to win her back forever, not for one night.
The doors of the elevator open and I accompany her to her room. I wait patiently until she has opened the door. She turns around and looks at me and I take a step closer and wait for her back to touch the wall. With my hand, I stroke her cheek; her lips are opened slightly, and her eyes are closed.
All evening I’ve been wondering how she would taste, and that’s exactly what I’m going to find out. I put my mouth on hers and kiss her. I’ve been looking forward to this moment for so long that I want to enjoy every second while it lasts. With my hand in her hair, I pull her even closer to me. She drops her shoes to the ground and I moan when her hands grab my hair. She, too, must feel all the tension of the past few hours as she tries to draw me closer to her.
Her mouth opens, and I slide in with my tongue. Our tongues caress and lick each other as if we were each other’s last meal. But however much I want to continue with this, I don’t want to repeat the same mistake I made in the past. This time I want her forever, and I want to make that clear to her by not diving into bed with her at the first chance I have.
If I do that now, she will think I’m only after sex, and that’s not the case. So with the last bit of willpower I have left, I break the kiss. Our breathing is labored, and I lean with my forehead against hers.
“However much I like this, Valérie, we have to stop it now.” Her eyes slowly open and look into mine.
“Why?” she asks breathlessly.
“If we don’t stop this now, I won’t be able to control myself anymore.”
“That’s fine, and I don’t want you to hold back. It’s just sex; we are both adults. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
I brush a strand of her hair behind her ears and kiss her on her nose. “I want to prove to you that you are more than just a conquest. I want you forever, Valérie.”
Her eyes look up at me, and I see the emotions running through them. She blinks her eyes a few times, swallows her emotions and nods gently.
“I can’t do that,” she whispers. “I can’t have a relationship with you.”
“Maybe you don’t see it yet, but that’s yet to come, Valérie. That’s what I promise you.”
She looks up to me with tears in her eyes. “No, that’s not possible.”
Before I can say anything, she turns around entering her room and closes the door. She almost throws it in my face. Shit. The small amount of progress I had made is completely gone again. But if she thinks I’m going to give in just like that, then she’s wrong.
7
Valérie
As soon as I enter the room, I let myself drop against the door and slide down until I finally sit on the floor. I put my hand on my chest and try to calm my raging heart. I stroke my lip with my thumb. If it weren’t swollen, I would never believe that Max just kissed me again.
And what a kiss that was. It was much more intense than this afternoon. He put all the sexual tension that hung between us the past day into it. This afternoon’s kiss was forced, not that I didn’t like it, but it was filled with anger. This kiss was different. I felt it from my little toe to the tip of my nose. I can say without a doubt that a man has never kissed me like that before. I’ve never felt such passion in just a kiss.
I can hardly believe that he had the strength to stop. It felt as if every fiber in my body was on fire. In the few hours, we spent together at the restaurant; I had totally forgotten about all my good intentions. Suddenly I saw the Max I used to know; the Max I still remember like it was yesterday. The way he always was. Entertaining, charming, beautiful... everything I’m looking for in a man.
As a gallant gentleman he had offered me his coat, and the moment he put it over my shoulders, I wasn’t quite sure if the warmth I felt flowing through me, was because of the coat or because of the proximity of Max. And when I took off my shoes, he gave me his arm to support me. When we entered the elevator, the tension had risen so high that my thoughts were focused on just one thing. I had to taste his lips. And when he did kiss me, everything came back in a tidal wave flooding all my restraints away.
My whole body remembered again how it felt to be kissed by Max, even though this was a more experienced version of him. I became putty in his hands. At that moment he could have done anything he wanted with me. If he hadn’t stopped me, we would have been in bed together for sure. And that’s something I would have regretted tomorrow—like immensely. I guess I should thank him for stopping when he did because I was so turned on that I sure as hell couldn’t have done it.
I can’t believe I have so little control over my own body. I have been here for less than twenty-four hours, and I have kissed him twice. It feels as if I have lost all control of myself.
When my heartbeat has calmed down again, I get up and go to the bathroom. As I change my clothes and remove my makeup, my thoughts wander to Max. Only a few days ago I couldn’t bear to hear his name, and now my whole world is all about him again. I have learned from the past that this is not a good idea, so starting tomorrow I will have to keep a distance between us again. After all, I am here for a reason. I will prove to Julian that I am a good journalist. That I am able to complete this assignment successfully.
Before I get into bed, I quickly check all the emails I have received from Fanny. She hadn’t lied when she said there was a lot of reaction from fans who had a question for Full Moon. When my eyes start to droop, I close the laptop and put it on the bedside table.
All I have to do now is try to get a little sleep, because I know I’ll need my strength in the morning.
MY INTENTION TO HAVE a good night’s sleep didn’t go as planned. Instead, I sit at the breakfast table struggling to keep my eyes open, and I can’t stop myself from constantly yawning. Today I have the first interview, and I needed to look my best. So this morning I put on some extra makeup in the hope of covering up the bags under my eyes. I have chosen a professional look today. A tight pencil skirt and a loose white shirt, my hair up in a high ponytail. Of course, I also wear high heels. When I enter the breakfast room, there’s no one else from the group, which hopefully gives me the time to have my first coffee before I have to put up with Max. I sit at the table reserved for the band and take my spoon, mindlessly stirring the sugar into my cup of coffee. I hope that the steaming jolt of caffeine will help me wake up a bit.
Last night, all I did was toss and turn in bed; I couldn’t find a comfortable position. Every time I closed my eyes there was one particular handsome singer there. And to make things worse, I’ve replayed every second of our kiss several times. And each tim
e my body has reacted in the same way. And then that kiss changed into more in my mind. My wildest fantasies turned my body in a needy mess, and when I really could not handle it anymore, I pulled out my vibrator. I’m a modern woman and wouldn’t go on a trip without it. But two orgasms later I still felt unsatisfied, and I also had the feeling that there was only one person who could take care of that problem for me. But the last thing I wanted was to knock on his door and beg. I have too much self-respect for that.
Just as I’m remembering my evening and the singer with the divine body who disturbed my sleep... there he is. He walks into the breakfast room, and it seems as if all the female eyes are on him. How could it be otherwise; everything about him radiates sex. He walks in here as if he is the owner of this building and not the cause of my sleepless night.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he says laughing.
“It’s not yet nine o’clock, and I’m just sitting with my first cup of coffee. It’s too early to be so happy.”
He sits in the chair next to me and bends toward me. “I guess you didn’t sleep well.” He winks at me. “What would have caused that?”
I feel my cheeks turning red and feel his gaze burning on me. I think he can see every fantasy I experienced with him last night in my dreams. That all-knowing grin on him says enough anyway. I ignore him and go to the breakfast buffet.
Fortunately, all the band members have joined us by the time I’m back at our table, so I don’t have to confront Max alone.
“Who are you going to interview today?” Max asks.
I see it in his gaze that he wants me to choose him first. Suddenly, I get warm, and this seems to be about so much more than just an interview. To be honest, I wasn’t sure who to interview first, but it seems like it’s a good idea for me to postpone the interview with Max until last. Today I would like to interview Jonathan and John. I swallow the bite of my biscuit and look at Jonathan.
“I had thought of starting with Jonathan. At least, if that’s okay with him.”
Jonathan shrugs his shoulders. “Good for me, the quicker I get this over with, the better.”
Looking back at Max, I see that his otherwise handsome face is overshadowed. Did he hope I would do his interview first? I thought about it, but I thought it would be better to interview the other members of the band first so that I avoided him as long as possible. After an evening like yesterday, I don’t think it would be a good idea to be alone in a room with just the two of us. I don’t trust myself if I’m alone with him for too long in a small space.
I quickly eat my breakfast and then stand up. “I’ll see you in the concert hall in about ten minutes, Jonathan?”
He mumbles something with his mouth full that resembles an “I’ll be there.” I exit the breakfast hall and go outside through the revolving door of the hotel. When I feel the fresh air, I take a deep breath. From the hotel to the concert hall is less than a ten minutes walk, so I still have enough time. I start my walk, but I’m only one street away when I am grabbed from behind and pulled into a small alley. Although my first reflex is to scream, I immediately recognize the strong arms around me. Max gently pushes me against the wall, and I put my hands against it to prevent my face from smashing against the hard wall.
“Max, what are you doing?”
“Shh, I don’t want to hear a peep from you. It seems best to me that I remind you of yesterday, in case your body has forgotten it.”
How can he think I forgot yesterday? It’s the only thing that’s been bubbling through my head for the last few hours. He doesn’t have to give me a reminder for that. Before I can protest, his hand disappears under my skirt and slowly starts to slide upward. I look around anxiously. We are right out in the open. Even though we are reasonably out of sight, someone can walk into the alley and get the wrong idea. I loosen my hands from the wall to grab his, but he stops me immediately.
“Hands against the wall,” he demands.
My whole body has been tense since yesterday, and because I didn’t follow his order, he now stops his movement. His warm hand is now lying on my thigh, and I can feel his warmth spread to where I desire him most. My legs vibrate from the restrained tension. When I don’t obey immediately, he removes his hand from under my skirt completely and pushes mine back against the wall. He takes a step closer, pushes against me from behind, and I can feel his erection against my back.
“Put... your hands... against the wall.” He punchtuates each word with a grind of his hips.
My whole body is on fire. At this moment I don’t care who can see us; I want to feel his hands on me again. I feel my lower body tighten simply at the thought that he is going to touch me there. I do what he asks and put my hands back against the wall. With his foot, he pushes my legs a little farther apart, and I am now completely at his mercy.
He brings his mouth to my neck and kisses my sensitive skin until he reaches my ear.
“Are you wet, Valérie?” He bites my earlobe before he growls. “For me?”
His erotic words descend directly to my crotch, and I feel myself getting even wetter than I already was. He chuckles into my ear. “I knew you were a naughty girl after all. Hold your hands against the wall; if you move them, I’ll stop.”
His hand slides along the side of my chest farther along my belly until he comes back to the bottom of my skirt. His hand disappears under my skirt again and slowly goes back up. The closer he gets to my panties, the faster I start breathing. I close my eyes and concentrate on the feeling of his hands on me. Finally, his finger strokes over the now wet fabric of my panties.
“Is this for me, Valérie; are you this wet for me?”
When I don’t answer immediately, he hits my ass hard with his free hand. I should be angry—angry because he’s doing this to me in public—but it only makes me get even hornier. I can hardly comprehend how much influence Max has on me. Let’s be honest, he has barely touched me, and I have already turned into a desperate, vibrating pile of desire. The only thing I want is for him to touch me there. All I need is a little touch on my clit, that will push me over the edge. But he doesn’t give it to me. He forces me to say it out loud.
“Answer me, Valérie.”
“Yes.” I gasp.
“You see, it wasn’t that difficult, right?”
He has the nerve to chuckle, enjoying his victory. But even before I can answer him, he says, “Hold on tight now. I’m going to make sure you won’t forget about me so that you only think of one person during the interviews. And that person will be me, Valérie. Don’t you forget about that.”
With his finger, he pulls my panties aside, and I feel the cold air on my bare pussy. His finger caresses me, along my folds and the opening of my vagina. However, there is only one place I want him to touch me, and he skillfully dodges it. When his torture continues, I can barely restrain myself from growling out in frustration. I don’t want to give him that pleasure. But the longer I persevere, the longer it continues. As if we are not somewhere in a public place. Somewhere that anyone who comes by can walk toward us and see everything. When I can’t stand it anymore, I push my ass backward, looking for that necessary touch.
He laughs and grabs my hair with his free hand. He twists the ponytail around his fist and pulls my head back. Never before has a man been so rough with me, but I can’t say I’m not enjoying every second of it. I’m a strong woman, but I love it when a man takes control during sex.
“Who are you going to think of, Valérie?”
“You,” I moan.
As soon as those words leave my mouth, he turns me around, so I’m now facing him, my back against the wall. His hand goes back under my skirt, and he hooks his fingers into my panties and pushes them halfway down my thigh. I want to yell at him, for making me stand here like this. I can feel the wind blow over my wet lips and heat rises in my body. I want to open my mouth and say something, but as soon as his fingers find my clit, I’m at a loss for words. With short, powerful strokes he takes me to a clim
ax in less than a few seconds. Just before I cry out, he presses his mouth hard on mine and swallows every groan I make, with his one hand still around my ponytail and his other still under my skirt. He keeps holding me until the last remains of my orgasm are gone.
He removes his hand from under my skirt and holds me with his other hand until he is sure I am stable on my legs. He pulls my skirt straight again and then looks up at me. When our eyes meet, he grins at me and brings his one hand to his mouth. While his gaze doesn’t stray from me for a second, he licks every bit of fluid that’s leftover of me from his fingers. I feel the heat of earlier return. This man has some skills. He knows exactly what kind of effect he has on me and isn’t afraid to show me that he knows how to turn me on and make me come.
One thing’s for sure, in the coming hours—who am I kidding, in the next year—this image will not disappear from my mind. When he finally stops, he quickly presses a kiss on my lips.
“Good luck with your interviews, Valérie. I’ll see you later.”
Before he leaves, he bends down, picks up the rest of my panties and puts them in his pocket. As fast as he appeared, just like that, he’s gone again. With trembling legs, I stand in the alley. My head tries to grasp what has just happened. I had no idea that Max could be so possessive.
One thing I do know for sure, I’m going to talk to him about it tonight. Perhaps we can reach an understanding. For the rest of the time that I’m here, nothing stands in the way of us having some fun together. I mean, it’s clear we have a physical connection, so why not make the most of it? I am single, and he is too. So why shouldn’t that be possible? The only thing I have to do is protect my heart because the day will come when I have to return to my normal life and then I will have to leave Max behind anyway. So I have no choice but to protect my heart because I couldn’t bear for it to be broken again. That’s not an option.
Say You Crave Me (Full Moon, #4) Page 7
