Keep Me (Beggar's Choice #3)

by Lily Morton

  He turns a face of incredulity to me. “It’s because I’m happy,” he says simply and I feel a lump in my throat. “You’re my best friend in the world babe, the one person that I don’t have to pretend to, or for. I tell you everything and I feel what I want.” He shrugs. “It never occurred to me that I shouldn’t because I’m comfortable.” I smile mistily at him and he looks alarmed. “You’re not going to cry are you?”

  I punch him lightly but then turn serious. “You’re my best friend too babe.”

  He smiles. “I know.”

  I get ready that night excitedly. Over the last few weeks we’ve eaten in some very high priced famous restaurants, although not that often as Bram has a tendency to know lovely out of the way places where he won’t be bothered. However, tonight feels like turning back time with old style glamour and I’ve pushed the boat out with my dress.

  It’s an ankle length Oscar de la Renta strapless dress, black with red flowers on it. It looks faintly like a prom dress as the skirt stands out stiffly, and I’ve teamed it with another pair of Christian Louboutin heels, this time black, peep toe, platform sling backs. I’ve drawn my hair back in a bun which draws attention to my shoulders and my neck and I feel really good.

  At first I’d been a bit worried that it was over the top but I’d stood outside an hour ago watching the scenery fly past and seen the people who were early for dinner. The women had been wearing very glamorous long gowns and the men were in tuxedos.

  I take a breath and open the connecting door between the two rooms. Bram had got ready in the other room because it might be The Orient Express but space is tight for two people, especially one with a big dress. He’s standing pouring himself a drink from the selection brought earlier and as he turns I catch my breath.

  He’s eschewed a tuxedo, opting instead for a narrow cut, black suit which he’s teamed with a gleaming white shirt and a narrow black tie. He looks urbane and sophisticated but the rock star is creeping in because his top two buttons are undone with the tie slightly twisted down, and he’s wearing Converse. He looks up at me and stills. “Oh my God,” he says softly, motioning me to twirl. “I don’t think that I have ever seen you look so beautiful love.” He stares at me hotly for a very long minute and then laughs. “Although I think that about every outfit you put on.” He pauses and then smiles wickedly. ”Especially that black lace nightie you had on the other night.”

  I laugh. “You look pretty spiffy yourself babe.”

  He crooks his elbow. “Ready Madame?” I give him my arm and look fully at him watching his brow furrow.

  “I am ready,” I say clearly and he swallows hard as he gets my meaning.

  A few hours later I sit back in a comfy chair and watch the man playing old show tunes on the piano in the cocktail lounge. We’re drinking Whisky Sours and I’m pleasantly full from the beautiful dinner and a little bit tipsy because damn these cocktails are strong. Bram has definitely been recognised tonight with some curious, knowing looks directed his way. The pianist had looked longingly at him as if expecting him to push him off the piano and start playing, although why he would is beyond me seeing as he plays the bass. Bram however had easily deflected everything by remaining completely focused on me. Now he sits with an easy smile on his face, his arm draped heavy and warm over my leg and his long fingers keeping track of the beat on my thigh.

  “How was it when I left?” I ask suddenly. “Was it strange?”

  He starts and looks cautiously at me. “It was horrible,” he says simply. “Really empty and cold.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He starts. “Why? You didn’t do anything.”

  “I handled that night badly.”

  He smiles softly. “It was all on me love. All the fuck ups have been mine, but I didn’t realise what the boys tried to tell me was true. I’d never known that feeling before so I didn’t recognise it.”

  “What feeling?” I ask leaning forward but his reply is lost by the arrival of a young woman with teased, blonde hair and red lips.

  “Could I have an autograph?” she asks breathily, proffering a piece of paper and pen. I sigh heavily and lean back and even Bram who is known for his grace with fans looks agitated. However, he smiles and complies, but when she tries to extend the conversation while ignoring me he turns his shoulder to her until she gets the hint and leaves.

  A silence falls while he swirls his glass, looking into it contemplatively. “It did teach me something,” he finally says.

  “What?”

  “That I don’t need you to come home.” I’m so hurt at this that I can’t get a reply out but he speaks hurriedly. “I realised that I don’t need that because it’s not the flat that’s home, it’s you.” I look up sharply and he nods. “You’re my home babe so no matter where we go, and if allowed I intend to show you the world, I will always be home.”

  I open my mouth but I’m unable to talk because of the tears in my throat. No one has ever thought of me as home before and I’ve never had a home in someone else, but I know that I feel the same as him. We could be in an empty room and if he lights it up with that wicked, lopsided smile it will be home.

  My thoughts are scattered when he muses on, staring out of the window as if he doesn’t want to look at me. “My problem Alys is this. I’m going to fuck up this thing between us. It’s a foregone conclusion because I don’t know how to be in a relationship. I never want to hurt you again and I’m afraid I will.” He raises his hand in a graceful question. “So what do I do?”

  My heart is beating heavily in my chest at the thought that he might want something long term but I choke out a smile. “You might think that you don’t know how to be in a relationship Bram but we’ve been in one for two years.” He looks up sharply and I nod. “We’ve argued over bills and housework. We’ve sat talking for hours, and I’ve bagged up your broken arm with masking tape and covered for you.”

  He smiles blindingly, his worry seemingly gone. “Fuck, you’re right Alys. I’m actually fucking awesome at relationships.”

  “Let’s not go too far. You have a lot to learn.”

  He leans forward suddenly serious. “Then why don’t you teach me love? Show me how.”

  Our eyes catch and hold and then suddenly he rises to his feet holding out one hand imperiously. “Come on love. I want to be alone with you now.”

  I let him pull me to my feet and out of the carriage and we walk, swaying gently with the movement of the train. When we get into the cabin the lamps are lit giving the room a soft glow, and when I look into the bedroom the bed is turned down showing the brilliant white sheets. He shuts the door behind him leaning against it, and I turn back to him expecting to find a face full of sexual intent but instead he looks troubled.

  “What is it?” I ask. “This is the last thing on the list Bram. Make love on a train cross country wasn’t it?”

  He rolls his head against the door and says words that I never thought to hear from him. “I don’t think I can do this.”

  “What?” I whisper. “Don’t you want me?”

  He jerks. “Of course I fucking do. Don’t talk rubbish. I go around with a permanent hard on thanks to you.” He breathes out slowly giving me a glimpse of a fleeting vulnerability. “I don’t want to make you do something because it’s in a fucking song Alys. I want you to need it more than you need air because that’s the way that I feel about sex with you.”

  He jerks upright moving past me, taking off his jacket and throwing it onto a chair, and then he looks back at me. “Not tonight,” he says firmly. “I just want to hold you tonight.”

  I move over to the door and twist the lock and the click sounds deafening and purposeful in the suddenly still room. Looking up I see him eyeing me cautiously as if not sure that he knows me and I smile at him.

  “Well maybe that’s not what I want or need tonight Bram.”

  He swallows hard and his voice sounds thick. “What do you mean?”

  Chapter Eighteen

&n
bsp; Alys

  I reach up and unpin my hair, the sound of the hairpins falling slowly onto a nearby table sounding loud in the room. When I’m done I shake it loose enjoying the way that he can’t drag his eyes from the wavy mass. “If you won’t make love to me then maybe I’ll make love to you,” I say calmly.

  He backs up slightly, looking so much like an outraged virgin on her wedding night that I laugh.

  “Oh you think this is a laughing matter,” he exclaims.

  “No, I’m just expecting you to start clutching your pearls any time soon,” I counter, reaching behind myself and calmly pulling the zip on my dress down.

  “What are you doing?”

  I raise my eyebrow. “I’m taking my dress off Bram. I would have thought with your extensive knowledge of women that you’d recognise that.”

  “Oh sarcasm, how wonderful!” He backs up as I step forward. “Alys I mean it. Stay where you are. I just want to hold you tonight. What are you doing?” He groans as I let the dress drop. It catches on my hips before falling to the floor and leaving me clad in just my underwear and heels. His nostrils flare and he inhales sharply. “Fucking hell,” he mutters, his voice thick. “You don’t play fair love. That underwear. You know my weakness is you in underwear.”

  He falters to a stop and then unconsciously adjusts his cock which is standing hard and blatant against the fabric of his trousers. I look down at myself. I’ve got another set of Agent Provocateur undies on, this time a black strapless bra and boy shorts that are made of a sheer spotted material with thick bands of lace edging them. I’ve paired them with a bright red garter. “You like?” I ask huskily and he clenches his fists down by his side.

  “Like is not the right word. Turn around.” I rotate slowly and hear his groan that seems to echo around the room. Turning back to him I move closer and this time he doesn’t retreat. His cheeks are flushed and his chest is rising and falling with his frantic breathing.

  “This is unfair,” I murmur. “One of us is very overdressed.” My voice is so throaty that I hardly recognise it. I feel hot all over and a pulse is beating insistently between my legs. I reach up and slowly loosen his tie pulling it away with a sibilant whisper, and then unbutton his shirt, pausing between each button to stroke the newly uncovered piece of skin. When the shirt is undone I reach up and push it off his wide shoulders and step back looking at what I’ve uncovered.

  I am a lucky woman because he really is beautiful. His shoulders are wide, his arms muscled and as the eye dips lower it’s caught by the run of his six pack and his narrow hips all of this covered in smooth, golden skin like he’s been dipped in honey. This combined with his high cheek boned, sulky beauty makes him a powerful presence.

  I lean forward and decide to taste my prisoner. I start by kissing his square chin, biting the stubble there and making him hiss in a breath, and then I venture down, kissing my way over his chest until I reach one flat brown nipple and I pause to lick and suck it. He groans sharply and I raise my face. “Do you like that?” My voice is so slow it’s as if I’m talking through treacle.

  “No,” he mocks, his voice a thick rasp. “Try the other.”

  I smile and reach up drawing the nub into my mouth and suckling it, finishing off with a sharp bite. He inhales and pushes his hands into the mess of my hair pulling me closer. “So good,” he groans. “Fuck, it feels so good.”

  I pull away making him reluctantly loosen his gentle grip. He smiles at me and then grimaces as I drop to my knees. “Fuck Alys I’m going to die if you do that.” I grin naughtily and flick the button and pull the zipper on his trousers down slowly. He groans out a laugh which turns into a grunt as I spread the material apart and pull his hard cock out of its covering. “Okay,” he gabbles. “I’m not going to die but I am going to go off like a fucking bottle rocket if you put your mouth anywhere near my cock.”

  I roll my head back. “Try to control yourself,” I murmur and bending forward I lick a leisurely path up his cock. It’s hot and the skin is so soft and I run my fingers up it feeling the iron strength behind it. I watch fascinated as a drop of pre come pearls on the mushroomed head closely followed by another which slides down the side, and without thinking I lean forward and lick the moisture away, savouring the salty taste.

  I’ve never been that bothered about doing this before and men’s semen has always tasted rather funky to me, but with him it’s different. Maybe it’s because he’s my person that it makes a difference. Dismissing the thought I raise up on my knees slightly and engulf the head in my mouth, sheathing my teeth and sucking hard. He shouts out something his back bowing as he arches, forcing his cock further into my mouth.

  He hunches over immediately. “I’m sorry,” he gabbles. “Did I hurt you?” I shake my head and suck again gazing into his eyes and seeing how dark they’ve gone as he stares at me in fascination. As I watch I see the last remnants of his control slip their mooring and float away as he suddenly grabs my head and takes over. “Yeah Al,” he moans, his voice almost guttural. “You like that sweetheart?”

  I nod, sucking harder and using my fist to jack the inches that I can’t stuff into my mouth because he’s big, and he throws his head back, his eyelashes lying thick and lush against his cheekbones and his mouth slightly open, his tongue wetting his lips.

  He gives a guttural grunt and suddenly jerks away from me, pulling me up and taking my mouth with a harsh groan. He forces his tongue in and backs me against the walnut panelling so that I can push against him. Reaching down he cups my arse lifting me up with a sudden thrust, and I eagerly entwine my legs around him feeling his cock push hard against the wetness of my panties.

  We kiss hard pressing against each other urgently until suddenly we’re moving towards the bedroom and he lowers me until I feel the cool softness of the sheets beneath me. I raise up on my elbows watching him hungrily as he strips off his remaining clothes, his movements sharp with urgency. Finally he’s naked and he stands by the bed staring down at me as if he’s a diver who has discovered treasure. I stare at him and his hard cock which is pulsing visibly.

  He reaches out a hand and trails it down my body, cupping one breast briefly before he reaches my hip which he shakes gently. “So beautiful,” he breathes and then smiles. “But who’s overdressed now sweetheart?” I gasp as reaching down he unclips my bra and in one sharp movement he rips my knickers straight off and then lifts them to his nose, gathering the tiny scrap of fabric in one fist and inhaling deeply. When he raises his head his eyes are so heavy lidded there’s only a thin shaft of gold to see.

  I moan and raise my arms to him. “Come here love,” I urge and he stills for a second and stares at me.

  “I’ve waited so long for this,” he says. “I can’t believe that you’re finally here and I can have you the way that I’ve dreamt about.”

  I reach up and grab his hand pulling him down until he rests his weight on me and I moan at the feel of that hair roughened, hard muscled body against me, until I remember my mission and give him a push. It’s not enough to move a man his size but he acquiesces, rolling over gracefully and putting his hands up to cup my ribs gently as I straddle him pinning him to the bed. As he feels my pussy settle against his groin he gives a sharp jerk bucking up into me with a groan as if he can’t help himself.

  “This is me making love to you,” I whisper. “Lie back and think of Ireland.”

  He smiles painfully, his cheeks flushed. “I can’t think of anything but you a chroí, never have been able to.” I still for a second and then lean forward kissing him until I can’t think and the room spins, and then I really make love to him. He may not recognise it. Perhaps to him this is just sex but to me it’s love, and as the train sways with the movement of the rails and rushes through the night I worship his body and unspoken I voice my love until he breaks.

  Sitting up slightly he grabs my hips and as I gasp at the power in his upper body he lowers me until my pussy is kissing the top of his cock and painting it with wet
ness. “Yes?” he asks and I nod frantically, crying out as he thrusts up and we both still as he slides into me.

  “Every time it’s like new,” he groans. “It’s so good.”

  I pant out some reply and he grunts. “Move,” he says gutturally. His long fingers span my arse and digging his feet into the mattress he lifts me up and thrusts upward so powerfully that we both cry out.

  “Yes,” he groans his eyes a dull gold in the low light. “Alys do it,” and I move, seating myself firmly. I shake out my hair, arching my back as I lean back groaning at how high his cock is inside me and how full I feel. He reaches up cupping my breasts, flicking his fingers over my nipples as I begin to ride him. I go slow at first getting used to how full I feel, until spurred on by his feverish moans and husky directions I speed up, slamming down on him as he raises himself up.

  He lowers his hands gripping the sheet beneath him and arching slightly, all the muscles on his abdomen clenched and tight. Looking up I catch sight of us in the window where the blind has risen up and I stare transfixed at the eroticism of the sight. In the reflection we writhe together and while his face is slack with pleasure pain, mine is transfixed, dreamy and transported as if under some sweet spell.

  He moves his hands down and one hand cups my pussy spreading around the root of his cock and touching the wetness clinging to the root as he shuttles in and out. He groans loudly throwing his head back, his hair wet with sweat. “Alys you’re so wet you’re dripping on me.”

  I give a choked scream. “Bram I’m going to …”

  “Yes give it to me,” he grunts and then we both shout out as we come together. I feel the lurch of his body and feel the liquid heat inside me as I twist my hips and impale myself on his cock feeling the release from deep inside me like fireworks going off. Then I’m falling into his open arms and he wraps them tightly around me keeping himself in me as he soothes me with soft whispers that I can’t hear.