Xander is first to comment. “You’ve outdone yourself with this place, Carter. It’s perfect for those of us with more money than sense! Seriously, though, fantastic job. Can’t wait to get Lily alone in one of those plush private rooms.” I laugh as he steps aside to let her give me a hug and her congrats.
“This place is amazing, Carter. I love it. Congratulations.” I thank her and turn my attention to Logan who already has a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Carter… those private rooms are fucking amazing. I’ve already spent a little time in one with Cheryl-Ann. She particularly liked the chaise in there.” The look on his face tells me it wasn’t so much the chaise, as whatever they were doing on it.
“Do I need to disinfect that room already?”
He throws his head back and laughs. “What can I say, man? There’s a reason her nickname is Cat. She purrs like a fucking kitten when I’m licking her…”
“STOP! I don’t want to know. That’s a $10,000 piece of furniture you just defiled!” I try to say it with a straight face, but I can’t help laughing.
He doesn’t seem like himself tonight; he is definitely a little drunk. He’s not normally so forthcoming with information regarding his conquests, and he tends to hold his liquor pretty well. I pull Addi aside. “What’s going on with Logan?”
“Nothing that I know of. We were all having a laugh earlier, I was telling Lily how Vittoria is getting on with her latest tour. I showed them all some pictures of her on Facebook with the dance company, and her with her new man candy. We had some drinks and then Logan disappeared with Cat for a while. He’s just a little drunk, Carter; I’m sure he’s fine.” The look in her eyes tells me she knows more than she’s letting on, but a tap on the shoulder from one of my staff means I have business to attend to.
The rest of my night is spent taking care of the A-List guests, and it’s not until the club is closed and the last of the revelers have left, that I catch a glimpse of my girl; carefree and dancing with her best friend, laughing and joking. Xander has the same fucking goofy look on his face that I’m sure I have on mine. I just love seeing her happy, without a care in the world, and it makes my night to see the smile on her face right now.
She doesn’t notice me until I move in behind her, snaking my arms around her waist, letting her grind her perfect little ass into my groin.
“Ready to go home now?” She nods her head as she continues to grind against me.
Xander comes over and lifts Lily off the floor. “Let’s get you home, sweet girl. I have some not so sweet plans for you.”
“Thanks for waiting with Addi, bro. I really appreciate it.”
“No worries. These two are impossible to separate once you let them loose in the same room. But I do need to get my girl home and remove this ridiculously small dress. Later, bro.” Lily shouts her goodbyes as Xander drags her out the door, desperate to get her alone. I can understand that. All I want to do right now is lose myself in Addi.
“Your place or mine?”
“Let’s go to your place. I like your bed better than mine now.” I need to bite my tongue to refrain from asking her to move in with me after that innocent admission.
“Your wish is my command… now about you rubbing my cock for wishes???” She slaps me in the chest before cuddling into my side as we head out to my car. It’s such an affectionate gesture from her that most people would take for granted, but not me. I know the little things are a big deal for Addi, and I appreciate every indication that she’s trying to move forward with me. I hold her close, silently thanking my lucky stars.
ADDI
When we arrive back at Carter’s apartment, the charge that always sparks between us is there, but tonight it evolves into something softer; something more sensual; something… more. Our usual frenzied tearing at each other’s clothes, fumbling to get to the nearest surface so we can fuck, is replaced by a sensual seduction. Carter silently leads me to his bedroom, before delicately undressing me. His touch is gentle and calculated, as if I might break if he holds me any tighter in his grasp. Every inch he uncovers is met with a soft kiss from his plump, delicious lips, his tongue darting out to taste me, to tease me, his satisfied hum vibrating against my flesh; desire unfurling in my stomach with every touch.
I return the favor, gently removing each item of his clothes, caressing every inch of him with my fingertips. When I flick my tongue over the tip of his rock-hard cock, he steps back, lifting me to my feet and placing me on the bed with the utmost care.
“Not just yet, baby… later. Right now, I want to feel you, to watch you come apart beneath me, while I slowly thrust inside you; owning you, claiming you with every deliciously slow rock of my hips; filling you until you can’t take it anymore. I want to watch the look of bliss on your face as I come deep inside you.” His words alone have me wet and ready for him.
He holds my gaze, and the intensity of this one look, so many unsaid words passing between us, has me panting in anticipation. He grasps his beautiful cock, guiding it to my entrance, before slowing, sensually, sliding inside me; one long, torturous thrust until I am completely full of him. His pelvis hits my clit at the perfect angle, spreading a delicious, quiet ripple of sensation throughout my body.
We continue this slow dance together, enjoying every movement of our bodies together as one. I can’t take my eyes off him, scared I will break the spell and he’ll disappear if I so much as blink. Sex has never been like this for me. This is so much more than just sex. The eroticism and emotion of this one moment is devastating in its intensity. I’m close to tears as he slowly worships my body, and his tender words are my undoing.
“Tesoro… ti amo.” [I love you.]
I can’t help the tears that trickle in a constant, silent stream down my cheeks at his whispered words of adoration. As he moves slowly inside me, filling me, claiming me, and loving me; a sob escapes my chest.
“What’s wrong, Addi? Did I hurt you?” He searches my face for a sign. “Please… mia bella fidanzata… talk to me.” [My beautiful girlfriend]
He stills inside me, our bodies connected in the most profound of ways as the words I’ve held in for so long spill forth.
“No one has ever made love to me before.”
He holds his weight on his elbows, raising his fingers - gently caressing the tears from my eyes.
“I love you, Addi. You deserve to be loved and adored… and made love to, every single day of your life. You mean so much to me. I’ve been making love to you for a long time now… tonight is just the first time you’ve realized it.”
“I… I never thought I would ever feel this way, Carter. Not after Gavin.” The full force of it all hits me square in the chest; a stark contrast to the man in front of me. The difference between Carter’s love for me, and what he called ‘love’ is glaringly obvious to me now.
I feel bereft as Carter pulls out of me, breaking contact, but only for a split second before he scoops me up into his arms and nestles me safely against his chest. He moves with me as if I weigh no more than a feather; positioning his back against the headboard of his massive bed, before pulling the covers around us.
“Tell me what happened, baby… please… if you can.”
I’ve never told anyone what really happened behind closed doors between Gavin and me. But now, in this moment, I need to relieve myself of the baggage and burden I’ve been carrying around for far too long. Carter doesn’t push me, or speak another word; he simply strokes my back as I listen to his steady heartbeat, taking comfort and courage from it; he gives me the time I need to formulate the words I’ve never said to another living soul.
“Gavin didn’t just cheat on me.” My voice is small and almost unrecognizable, even to me. “When I met him, I was a naïve girl straight out of high school, in love with the fantasy of my new life at college, and what better way to complete that pretty picture than by dating the most popular, dreamy guy on campus. All the girls loved him. He had a way about him, no matter wh
o he was talking to, he made them feel like the only person in the room. When he asked me out on a date I was so excited; every freshman girl wanted to be me.
We started dating and for the first few months my life was close to perfect. We’d said, ‘I love you,’ we made love, and everything about him drew me in; made me believe he was ‘the one.’ As time went on, he started to change; he wasn’t quite so attentive, and I’d notice him looking at other girls, not even trying to hide it. Then he started asking for things in the bedroom that I just didn’t want to do. At first, he just sulked about it, was nasty to me, or just plain ignored me for a few days. Then…”
The words begin to choke me, the memories suffocating as I gasp for air. I can feel Carter’s heart hammering in his chest as he tries to give me the space and time I need to continue. “It’s ok, baby, I’m right here.” His words give me the strength to continue.
“Then… one night, I caught him kissing another girl. He chased after me, professing his love, and telling me it was all a big mistake. I wanted so badly to believe him - I let him take me home, but when he tried to kiss me, I burst into tears, hurt by his betrayal. The look in his eyes was pure disgust as he watched my heart break in front of him.”
I take a deep breath.
“That was the first night he hit me.”
Carter’s grip tightens, his whole body rigid, his toned muscles corded and ready to fight.
“The slaps became punches, and the punches turned into beatings; never where anyone would notice; he was too smart for that. He stopped even trying to hide the fact that he was making out with other girls, and by that point I’d started to believe his bullshit lies that it was all my fault - I was too emotional, too frigid, too uptight. If I just did the things he wanted, he wouldn’t need to find other willing girls. He started asking for anal sex, which never really appealed to me, but I was desperate to keep him and make him love me again. The night I finally gave in to his demand, it wasn’t a request by that point, I thought things would get better between us; back to the way they were when we first met. It was one of the worst nights of my life.
I could have been anyone; he didn’t care how I felt or how rough he was being with me, slamming into me with no warning, no build up. It was… excruciating… and humiliating. He pinned me to the bed, rutting into me like a rabid dog, over and over; so harsh and punishing; pushing my face down into the pillow to muffle my sobs. When he was done… he beat me pretty badly, telling me I better not cry the next time. I was bleeding, sore, and torn from how rough he’d been. I was so used to the other bruises – ribs, arms and legs; they barely even registered with me at the time.
He took me that way on numerous occasions, every time leaving me broken and bruised, but I still wasn’t enough for him. I walked in on him in bed with another girl. I’d convinced myself that he was just fooling around with other girls, and that he would never sleep with them, especially after I gave him what he wanted. It was the last straw for me to see him naked and bucking wildly inside another girl… I took my final hit that night when he caught up to me. It was the worst beating of them all; I ended up in the ER, alone and too ashamed to call Lily or my family. A week later, after I’d recovered, I filed a restraining order against him. I didn’t tell the police about the attack, I didn’t have to. I had enough evidence in texts and threatening voice messages to have the order enforced with immediate effect. I haven’t seen him since.”
The silence is deafening as Carter’s body vibrates against me, and when he finally speaks, his voice is a low whisper, hoarse; more menacing that I’ve ever heard.
“He fucking… raped and beat you.” I can hear the pity in his voice, and see it in his eyes. He thinks I’m completely broken.
“He didn’t rape me… I… I let him do those things.”
He stops me; his tone stern.
“He sexually assaulted you. You didn’t want it, he knew that, and he did it anyway. And then he fucking beat the shit out of you. Fucking hell… I need a minute. I’m so sorry, Addi.”
I knew he would pull away when he realized just how damaged and fucked up I am. My heart shatters into a million tiny shards. “I understand. I’ll go.” I move to find my clothes and leave the safety of his apartment, unable to stomach the way he’s looking at me.
“What are you doing? Where are you going?”
“I’m leaving. I can’t stand to see the pity in your eyes.”
“Fucking PITY? Are you shitting me right now? I only asked for a minute to process everything you’ve just told me, to stay calm for you, and you want to run away… AGAIN? It’s not pity you see, Addi, it’s fucking - seething - rage, it’s fucking undying love… I love you… so hard it hurts to take a fucking breath. The idea of anyone hurting you is nauseating… it’s fucking abhorrent to me, Addi. Can’t you understand that? I… LOVE… YOU…ADDI… I’m so fucking in love with you.”
His words are a balm to my broken soul; soothing me, healing me - giving me the strength to speak the words I need to say.
“I… I love you, too, Carter. I’m in love with you, but I’m terrified of that feeling.”
“So am I, Tesoro. So am I. But I’m more terrified of losing you, of losing what we have. Please… trust me. I won’t ever hurt you like that. I promise.” He cups my face in his warm callused hands, entreating me with his gorgeous brown gaze. “Trust me. Let me help to make this better for you, claim you back from him. You’re mine now, Addi. Let me love you the way you deserve; the way I know you want to be loved.” I can only nod my acceptance; I’m at a loss for words. Nothing I could say would possibly be enough to express how I feel for this man.
“Wrap your legs around me, Addi.” I do as he asks, our naked flesh flush against one another, my breasts tight to his hard, muscled chest.
“I want to show you what it can feel like, to be claimed… everywhere.” I understand what he’s asking, and his face is telling me it’s completely my call, he won’t push me.
“Do you trust me, Addi? I’ve wanted to do this with you for a long time, but now, it seems so inconsequential to me. I don’t need it to be happy with you. I won’t think of you any differently if you don’t want to do it. But I do want you to feel that every part of your body is yours. Not marred by anyone else. Every inch of you is beautiful, Tesoro… inside and out. I want to help you claim back what’s yours.”
I dip my head down into the safety of his neck, inhaling the scent that gives me such comfort. “I want that, too, Carter, but I’m scared. Please… be gentle.”
He plants the softest kiss on my lips. “I will always be gentle, Addi, with your heart and with your body. I won’t ever do anything you don’t want.”
He deepens the kiss, letting me lose myself, feeling only his lips on mine. The desire I felt earlier returns as his hands begin to roam my body. We remain face to face as he lifts me up; letting me lower myself onto his throbbing erection. It feels divine as I seat myself to the hilt, taking all of him inside me. Our bodies slowly begin to move in time, Carter letting me ride him, savoring every upward movement; his eyes closing as I lower myself back down. His fingertips dance across my sensitive flesh, leaving a trail of desire in their wake.
As his hands begin to massage my ass, my body tightens in fear. “Trust me, Tesoro. I will only give you pleasure. You can say stop at any time.” He lifts his finger to my lips. “Suck.” His face searches mine, concern evident through the desire I see in his flawless features.
“Credetemi, io ti proteggerò… sempre.” [Believe me, I’ll protect you… always.]
He removes his finger from my mouth, replacing it with his tongue; twisting, tangling and teasing as he slides his fingers down my spine. I try to stay relaxed, but it’s almost impossible to tame the storm raging inside me. His finger, wet with my saliva moves down, teasing at my forbidden entrance.
“Keep moving, baby, use my cock, get yourself hot and sweaty riding me. Let me worry about the rest.”
I move my hands up to g
rip his shoulders, slowly working the length of him, pumping up and down, creating a steady rhythm for both of us that feels incredible.
“That’s it, Addi. Feel how hard I am for you. Feel what you do to me, only you. I’m so close, baby… but I need you to come first. Tell me when you’re close.”
I ride him, slowly increasing my pace, losing myself to the exquisite ecstasy, giving myself over to the unfamiliar sensation of him teasing my rim. I never thought I would experience pleasure this way, but my nerve endings come alive under his gentle caress, sending a jolt of electricity straight to my pussy, forcing it to clench around Carter’s impressive length. I delight in the familiar pull, deep in my core as I grind up and down, taking what I need, chasing my release.
“I’m almost there, Carter, I’m gonna come… oh my God… Yes.” As I reach the peak, ready to crash over the edge and down into the sweet abyss of euphoria, he gently eases his finger inside, holding my body tight to his chest.
“That’s it, Tesoro. Take what you need. You are so fucking beautiful when you come for me.”
His words together with the sensation he creates, sends me into tailspin. I ride him harder, letting him press his finger all the way inside of me, filling me in a way I’ve never felt before. It only intensifies the climax radiating from every nerve ending; from every fiber of my being.
“Oh my God, Carter… please… come with me… Yes… Yes… YES!”
He continues to fill me in every way possible, his tongue owning my mouth, his finger claiming me, and his cock hammering into me as he rears up off the bed to taking me as deep as he possibly can. The guttural roar that tears from his chest is primitive, sexy, and so full of need… for me. I fall in love with him all over again in this moment.
“Addi… FUCK… sei mio. Si può sempre e solo essere mio [you are mine. You can only ever be mine.] … Holy Shit!”
We stay wrapped in each other’s arms; kissing, nuzzling, nibbling at each other. Our bodies slide together with the soft sheen of sweat that our lovemaking has created - it’s heaven. I could stay like this forever, and die happy. It’s a long time before either one of us speaks.
Relentless - Manhattan Knights Series Book Two Page 12
