After I Fall (Immortal Billionaires Book 1)

by Melissa Sercia

  I couldn’t. I didn’t want him to. He held both my wrists with one strong hand while his other trailed down my chest, stopping short at the neckline of my tank top. His fingers teased, dipping just below the edge. He stroked the line of the fabric while just barely caressing my skin.

  I was practically panting as our eyes never broke contact. I had never been this turned on before ever. I wanted more. “Please…don’t stop,” I murmured.

  The look in his eyes turned feral, hungry. His hands trembled and his muscles tightened as if he were holding back. He was doing everything he could to restrain himself. His lips inched closer to mine and hovered just slightly out of reach. He was teasing me. Making me ache for it. He pulled one side of my tank top down, exposing my breast. I let out a gasp as he squeezed my nipple between his fingers. His pressure increased as I arched my back up and pressed my cheek into the door.

  He pulled down the other side and did the same, squeezing my nipple so hard and then releasing it, stroking it lightly in slow circles. It was driving me crazy. I twisted back and forth but his one hand still held my wrists firmly in place above my head.

  Ozi gently wrapped his hand around my neck and crushed his lips onto mine. And I lost it. His tongue plunged into my mouth, carnal and vicious, hungrily exploring, almost bruising my lips in his urgency. And then he slowed, twirling the tip of his tongue around mine.

  “Do you want to feel true pleasure?” He kissed my neck as he whispered. “Do you want me to give it to you?”

  “Yes…” I murmured.

  He dragged his tongue across my collarbone and my whole body shivered. “Have you ever been tied up before, Raven?”

  I hadn’t, but the thought of it stimulated every nerve in my body. I would let him do whatever he wanted to me right now. I swallowed hard. “No…”

  “Do you want me to?” His fingers were back to tracing circles around my nipples. I could barely think, let alone stand any longer.

  “Yes,” I whispered. I needed to feel something other than heartache for once. I needed to feel alive.

  He released my wrists. “Lay on the bed.”

  My knees wobbled as I stumbled over to the bed. Black silk sheets welcomed me. I climbed up and laid back as he said, quivering in anticipation.

  He watched me, his gaze traveling over every inch of my body. He climbed onto the bed next to me and reached for my wrists again. Above my head was a black leather rope with two loops. It hung from the ceiling. Ozi slipped my wrists through and tightened it so I couldn’t break free. He yanked my hips, sliding me down and the rope moved with me. For a split second I was terrified and strangely excited at the same time. I wasn’t going anywhere and I was at his mercy.

  Ozi stroked my cheek. “If you want to be released at any point, say so and I will untie you instantly. I only want to bring you pleasure.”

  He was a man of many faces—gentle and kind as well as dangerous and wild. I gave him a nod and held my breath as he slowly tore the chemise tank down the middle, exposing my breasts.

  “I’ll buy you another one.” He cupped my breasts, rubbing my nipples in between his fingers.

  I arched toward the ceiling. “Don’t stop.”

  He squeezed harder then dragged his fingers down my ribs, across my hips and stomach, then rested them just below my belly button.

  I held his gaze as he gently pulled my shorts and panties off at the same time.

  “Part your legs for me, darling.” He stroked the inside of my right thigh, urging me to spread apart for him.

  I didn’t know how much more I could take. The waiting, the buildup to what was going to be the most insane climax I’ve ever felt. I opened my legs a little, unsure of what he wanted.

  “Wider, darling,” he moaned in my ear. “I want to see all of you.”

  I spread out like a butterfly, so wide the backs of my thighs pressed into the bed. “How’s this?” I murmured. My heart was racing. All I wanted was him inside me.

  He parted the flesh between my legs, rubbing and caressing in slow strokes. I let out a whimper as his fingers caressed the outer flesh, teasing me. “Fuck…you are so wet.”

  “Yes,” I panted. “I want more.” I could barely speak through bated breath. If my hands hadn’t been restrained, I would have pushed his hand farther.

  I arched my hips up and he plunged his finger inside. I cried out and clenched around him.

  He moaned. “And so tight too…”

  I twisted and jerked with every thrust of his hand, aching for more. He sucked on my breasts, drawing circles around my nipples with his tongue. I thought I was going to explode.

  I had never wanted anyone so badly before. Ozi had me completely in his control and it was everything I needed.

  “Do you want me, Raven?” His voice was raspy.

  “Ye—yes…please, Ozi.” I could barely get the words out my heart was beating so fast.

  He moved to the end of the bed and removed his silk trousers. He stood over me, gazing down with a devilish smirk. “I told you I would have you. I’m a man of my word.”

  I had her right where I wanted her. Underneath me.

  She looked like an angel. Her skin glistened, glowing like an ethereal goddess who had just tied her very existence to mine. There were no words to describe the magnetic pull I had to her. Why Raven? She was pure, innocent, yet raw and wild. She carried pain same as me and I wanted to take it away. And she was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.

  I untied her wrists and lowered myself onto her. She tightened around me, gasping with pleasure as I entered her slowly. The sensation was overwhelming and I had to fight every urge to sink my teeth into her neck. I didn’t want to hurt her but I wanted to consume every part of her. To taste her blood. Her juices. Everything.

  She moaned as I slid in and out. Each thrust became more powerful than the last as I rushed to fill her. She squirmed with pleasure, biting down on my shoulder in such a way that I could not with her. She wanted to taste me just as bad and it drove me crazy. Her legs opened wider as she clawed at my back, urging me deeper inside.

  We rocked against each other like it was the last time any two people would ever smash their bodies into each other. It was the most explosive rush I’d ever felt. I grabbed a fist full of her hair as she arched her back, bringing her up from the bed so she could straddle me in my lap.

  I pulled her legs around my waist and crashed into her again. I guided her hips up and down as she threw her head back, crying out loud enough to wake the whole house. There was no stopping. No slowing down. Her hard nipples rubbed against my chest as I dug my fingers deeper into her thighs.

  Her chin tilted toward me and I covered her lips with mine. The sweet and salty taste of her tongue drove me wild. “You’re mine,” I whispered.

  This made her moan louder. She gazed at me with longing, aching, and desire. “Yes,” she whispered back. “I’m yours…”

  I flipped her on her back and plunged into her so deep, I thought my dick was going to explode. The blood rushed to the tip and I couldn’t hold it back any longer. I cried out as the orgasm took over all my limbs. My muscles tensed and twitched. I collapsed on top of her as I came. She trembled against me, panting and gasping, her legs quivering. She wrapped her arms around my neck and clung to me like I was an anchor in her ocean.

  My mind was made up.

  I was never going to let her go.

  Ozi’s chest heaved underneath my cheek. I had never experienced an orgasm like that ever. My entire body sang like a bird. I was addicted now. How could I ever be with somebody else after that? Ozi owned that part of me now. I didn’t even know what that meant or how we would navigate this, but I wanted more. I wanted him again and again. Lust was a powerful force. Maybe even more powerful than love. All I knew, was that I was at his mercy and I never wanted to be free of him.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I wasn’t expecting that. When I came to your door…I don’t know what I was thinking
. I mean, I did know what I was thinking. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I didn’t come out here with the intentions of showing up at your room in the middle of the night…but I’m glad I did.”

  He chuckled and pulled my arm tight across his chest, stroking it back and forth. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist me for much longer. I’m happy you came too. In more ways than one.”

  I giggled. “Multiple times.”

  His breathing began to steady. “Raven…there are things about me that may make you change your mind. Things that might make you want to run away.”

  “We all have a past, Ozi. I have my demons too.” I was starting to think that he actually might care about me beyond just the sex.

  He pulled away and sat up, gazing down at me with his haunting brown eyes. “That’s what I’m talking about. I don’t have demons. Raven…I am the demon.”

  I shuddered as soon as he said it. “What do you mean?”

  He got out of bed and pulled on his pants. “I don’t want to scare you away. Not when I’ve only just found you. There are things I will tell you in time. But just know that no matter what happens, I will never hurt you. Just promise me, you’ll keep an open mind.”

  He wasn’t making any sense. I definitely got the dramatic vibe from him, but the way he was talking was bizarre. “Look, I want to get to know you better. In just one night, you’ve made me feel more alive than I have in years. I feel safe with you, so…stop calling yourself a demon.”

  Ozi went to the window and pulled back the velvet drapes. The moonlight shining on his face only highlighted the shadows in his eyes. “In time, you will learn things about me. Things you might not like. But I’m not the same as I once was.”

  “Ozi, I am the last person who would judge you for your past. I have things I’m not proud of either. I get it…I’m afraid too. If you are having second thoughts about me—”

  “No. Never.” He rushed to my side and cupped my face in his hands. “It is you that may have regrets someday. In my long existence, I have never been more sure. If I were a selfless man, I’d order you to leave right now. But I’m none of those things.”

  And yet I couldn’t make myself get up and leave. I wanted to stay in this room forever with him. What had gotten into me? I wasn’t myself. Maybe he was just being over dramatic with poetic metaphors. “Ozi, you don’t have to hide who you are with me. You’ll see.”

  He picked me up and lifted me onto the floor. I backed up as he pressed me into the wall. His lips hovered over mine as his eyes searched my face. “Raven, I’m not a typical man. This won’t be a typical relationship. You are free to walk away whenever you choose. Can you handle that?”

  “And what is a typical relationship? The kind where the one you love cheats on you? I am done with typical. I want different. I’m not going anywhere.” I held his gaze.

  He let out an exasperated sigh and pulled me to his bare chest, cupping the back of my head in his hands. “We will take this as slow or as fast as you want. I am not good at relationships but for you I want to try.”

  I was still unsure as to why he was being so cryptic. What could he possibly tell me about himself that would make me want to run? I wasn’t so naïve to guess that he probably had a troubled past. He was a powerful billionaire and status like that didn’t come without a price. But no matter what he did or didn’t do, one thing I was certain of. The one thing that I felt in my bones without any rational explanation was that I had to play this out. Even if it ended. It would be worth it just to feel this way again.

  “I know you have the next few days off. Stay here for the weekend. We can talk, eat, drink…fuck some more. I’ll have whatever you need sent over.” His eyes pleaded with me.

  I had just promised him I would try to open up, to get to know him, so I couldn’t run off now. I hadn’t felt this vulnerable since I left Maplewood with my heart shattered into a million pieces. “Okay. I can do that.”

  His face lit up. “Belissimo. Now, let’s get back into bed.” He winked and my stomach flipped. The twinkle in his eye was the only indication I needed to let me know that I wasn’t going to get any sleep and he was going to make me come all night.

  I stifled a yawn and rolled over to find the space next to me empty.

  Sitting up, I saw he had laid out an outfit for me on the bed—skinny jeans, a yellow cashmere sweater similar to the one I wore when I ran into him at the Met, and a pair of black leather riding boots.

  A note sat on top.

  Buongiorno, darling, take as long as you like to shower and change. I’ll be waiting for you on the terrace. Yours, Ozi.

  I could feel a smile pulling at my lips. I’d never been pampered like this before. Alex’s idea of romance was letting me pick the movie after I had cooked and done all the dishes. It was our fifth anniversary and he showed up at my house with a six pack of beer, smelling like he had already downed a few. We ordered pizza and fell asleep watching some sports channel.

  Back home, that’s how all the guys were. They worked all day and drank beer all night. Date night was going to the Maplewood tavern for shitty hamburgers and cheap wine. I thought that was normal back then. Actually, I thought that was normal until about a week ago when Ozi took me to Juliet’s. Not that I didn’t still love a good greasy burger, but not every single night. That got old real fast.

  I showered in the lavish bathroom. The counter was stocked with beautiful and exquisite smelling soaps and lotions. I dressed in the outfit he’d laid out for me and made my way downstairs. The house was even more gorgeous with the sunlight shining in. I could see all of the wood and marble sparkling with fresh eyes. I stepped out onto the terrace and couldn’t hide the awe on my face.

  My mouth dropped open. Ozi sat waiting for me at a table covered in treats—waffles, blueberry pancakes, bacon, eggs, fruit, muffins, and pastries. A white gloved attendant stood nearby, holding a tray of mimosas.

  “Ozi…this is too much. How can I possibly eat all of this?” My eyes were bigger than my stomach but not that big.

  He shot me a playful grin and I lost my breath. His hair was still ruffled from our romp. He too wore a cashmere sweater, beige with a couple buttons at the neck that were undone. He looked like a catalog model. “Eat as much as your belly will take and I’ll have the rest dropped off at the nearby food bank.”

  Oh, and he was a philanthropist too? Could this man be any more perfect? How could a demon, as he called himself, have such a big heart?

  The grounds were beautiful in the daylight. After stuffing my face with as many delectable pastries as I could muster, we went for a walk on his property. Emerald green grass sprawled out around us as we walked. The scent of it being freshly cut wafted in my nose, making me nostalgic for my youth. Summers in Maplewood were the best part of my childhood. Playing with the neighborhood kids down by the river and then racing back home as the sound of the ice cream truck called to us like a dinner bell.

  Those were simpler times. Days when Alex and I were just innocents, falling into our puppy love without a care of the world around us. A slight ache in my heart resurfaced at the memory. A twinge of sadness and regret. Like being homesick for a person.

  “Care to talk about it?” Ozi asked. I was so lost in my thoughts, I hadn’t noticed he’d been studying me.

  I shrugged. “Not much to tell. The truth is, I caught my boyfriend with another woman. My sister to be exact.” I took a big swig of the champagne flute I’d brought with me for our walk.

  Ozi’s eyes softened. “You walked in on them? Oh, Raven. I’m so sorry.”

  “Yeah, I can’t ever unsee that. Remember the night I ran out of the Red Apothecary? Well, I had just gotten a voicemail from him—Alex—telling me they’re getting married.”

  Ozi took my hand in his. It felt soft and warm and strong. His fingers gently curled around mine, sending shivers up my spine. “I’m sorry, Raven. You deserve so much more than that. Men can be cruel and selfish. I hope I can show you different.�
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  I was letting my mind wander back to a time that no longer existed when I was currently having a magical moment right now. “The past is the past. Tell me about you. How did you end up here? When did you leave Italy?”

  He pulled me over to a shaded spot under a great oak tree. His smile became almost dreamlike. “I came over on a boat in…” He hesitated, sighed, and then continued. “It was a very long time ago. I left Italy to explore the world. I wanted adventure. The boat took me here to New York. I made my way down to New Orleans where some of my cousins were. I fell in love with…all of it—the women, the music, the booze. That’s where I met Cassius and Lux. We went into business together and ended up back in New York some years ago. Not too exciting.” He winked.

  “Were you always in the restaurant business? Forgive me if this is rude, but I can’t imagine you making billions of dollars on just a couple of restaurants and one winery.”

  He leaned against the tree and crossed his arms casually. “No. You are correct. We have other ventures. And I don’t think you are rude in the slightest. I think you are beautiful and sexy.” His gaze flickered with mischief and fire. It stirred a tingly sensation in my belly and all the way down between my thighs.

  It also made me nervous. He was being open but holding back. I could hear it in his voice. There were things he was leaving out. Sugar coating a story that was most likely steeped in danger and intrigue. He didn’t trust many people.

  “How many women have you….” I couldn’t finish.

  “Have I fucked?” A smirk turned up the corners of his lips.

  “Have you brought here? To your house?” There was no doubt in my mind that he’d slept with half of New York but how many women he’d gotten close to was a mystery.

  Ozi ambled toward me in a slow sexy swagger. “I have had a few but never in the main house. And never overnight. You are the first, Raven. I don’t know why you’re different, but you just are.” He towered over me, taking my face between his hands. My heart raced. His full lips moistened as he stroked a finger down the side of my cheek. “Maybe it’s because you don’t want anything from me.”