by Marlie May
“Loving someone doesn’t have to make you vulnerable,” he said.
But it did. It opened you up to hurt. Pain.
“I’m sorry I’ve turned this into something so solemn.” Regret made my words come out jerky. “That was never my intent.”
“It’s okay. We’re working through this together. I’m here for you. You tell me how you want me.” He stepped back, releasing me. “We can take this as slow as you need.”
“Eli,” I said, then repeated his name until he looked at me, because he’d been staring over my head. The stark yet hopeful look in his eyes reached into my chest and severed something vital deep inside me. “I’m yours. However you want me.”
Gathering me into his arms again, he held me a moment before leaning back to look down at me. “Let’s go inside, huh?”
I nodded and took his hand.
He swiped the card over the lock and swung the door open. Following me inside, he shut the door but when I reached for the light switch, he stilled my hand. “Leave it? I set something up for you. Well, I hope you like it.” His footsteps padded across the carpet, heading toward the wall of glass. A scraping was followed by flickering light that touched down one by one, slowly creating an oasis.
Candles encircled the tub, which had been filled with steaming water and…I crept closer. Flower petals floated on the surface.
My fingers were drawn to the pendant he’d given me. “They’re…”
Returning to me, he stood close, breathing softly. “I know people would say I should’ve used fancy flowers like rose petals but somehow, daisies felt better.” When I said nothing, he cleared his throat. “Is it too much? I don’t want to push this.” No mistaking the hesitancy in his voice. Was he worried I’d pull back from this, reject him?
If I shoved him away, I’d be denying myself.
“I love it. You did it for me.” No denying my smile. This man…Just when I thought I knew him, he did something that twisted my heart in a knot.
“If you want, you can get in. Sit back. Relax. There’s wine. Enjoy it. I can…Sit on the bed.”
I chuckled because… “Really. Sit on the bed? While I lounge in the jacuzzi and drink wine?”
I could feel his grin even if I couldn’t see it. “I wouldn’t mind if you shared the wine.”
“What if I want to share the jacuzzi, too?”
“I’d say yes.”
While scooped low in the back, my dress rose high in the front. It was simple to slip it off and step out of the soft, silky folds.
I not only wore the heels he’d seemed absorbed with, I’d also planned another surprise. Would he see it in the dimly lit room?
“Fuck,” he breathed, and I could feel his gaze gliding down my body.
Nothing showed a woman off better than a black bra and matching thong and garter. I stepped briefly out of my shoes and unclipped my stockings, slowly inching them down my legs.
“Double fuck,” Eli said. “You’re…”
“Teasing?” I said. Turning, I purposefully bent forward and slipped my heels back on my feet.
He had said he was interested in seeing me wearing not much other than heels.
Groaning, his fingertips slipped down my bare butt cheek. “You’re going to drive me out of my mind.”
Feeling empowered, I sashayed around him, lifting his chin as I passed. “I think you’re overdressed, Eli.”
“You’re right.” He groaned again. The heat of his gaze caressed my back as I walked toward the tub. “Fuck, Mia. You’re burning me alive.”
Everything inside me tingled. A heady thrill of anticipation told me this was going to be good. We were going to be good.
Tossing aside my heels, I stepped down into the tub. “What’s taking you so long?” While I loved to tease, I was so going to get it. The thought of him being with me shot sparks all the way to the ends of my nerves.
He shrugged out of his jacket and slowly unbuttoned his shirt. From the quick of his lips, I got the feeling he’d regained his composure. While a vulnerable Eli made me ache to hold him, a confident Eli made me eager to yank him near and cover him with kisses.
While I settled onto a bench in the water and rested my arms along the sides, he stood beside the tub, staring down at me. “I don’t want to scare you.”
“Are you trying to tell me you’re either porn star huge or lacking?”
“Honey, I’m anything but lacking.”
“Show me,” I breathed.
His white shirt then pants hit the floor, followed by his boxers. Straightening, he stood motionless, letting me glide my eyes from his broad, muscular shoulders to his narrow, rippled abs to where he jutted out toward me.
“Not lacking,” I said with a half-smile. Anything but.
Leaning forward, he poured two glasses of wine. After, he climbed into the tub and settled beside me. He handed me one of the glasses, then draped his arm across my shoulders.
We sipped our wine and stared through the windows. The moon might be hiding but stars filled the sky, winking through wispy clouds. Below, in the valley, lights gleamed. Up here, above it all, we ruled.
“How are the bra and thong doing in the water?” he asked before sipping his wine again.
“They’re wet and clingy.” I wrinkled my nose. “And scratchy.”
“Don’t forget sexy.”
“I like being sexy.”
He turned to face me. “Take it off if you want.”
I did want. Everything.
Unclipping my bra, I pulled it away from my body and tossed it onto the floor. Daisy petals floated around me, tickling my bare skin.
Eli swept them aside and gently cupped my breasts. His thumbs, thick and calloused, stroked across my nipples.
Tipping my head back, I closed my eyes. A moan slipped past my lips.
His mouth descended, stopping to drink from my lips before kissing downward from my jawline to my neck to the tops of my breasts.
He shifted lower in the water, kneeling in front of me.
The hot liquid, swirling around me, heightened this moment. My heart soared, fluttering in my chest.
He took my nipple into his mouth, sucking gently at first but then with more urgency.
My sharp gasp cut through the air, and he lifted his head. “You like?”
“Yes. Don’t stop!”
Chuckling, he stroked his tongue across my nipple again while his hand pinched the other.
Heat swirled inside me, centering in my core. I thrust my hips forward, seeking…everything.
His fingers tickled across my belly, and he cupped me between the legs. His thumb deftly slid my thong to the side, and he rubbed.
My gasp cut through the air, and I pushed against his hand. “Yes. That.”
Lifting his head, he said, “Love the thong, honey, but this thing has to go. Do I rip it off with my teeth or…”
Rip it with his teeth. The aggressive, animal-like image blooming in my mind made fire flash through me.
Moving a few candles aside, I dropped a towel on the tub surround, rose out of the water, and lowered myself onto my back on the soft surface.
Eli rose above me, grinning. “Teeth it is, huh? I do like to bite.”
“Let’s see what you can do with panties.” And everything underneath.
“I’m all about removing them, actually.”
My smile must blaze on my face. “You keep making threats but I’ve yet to see action.”
Bracing himself over me, he nipped at my neck. “Just watch me.”
He feathered kisses down my neck to my breasts, where he stopped to play. Pinching and sucking, and rubbing.
While I writhed beneath him and begged for everything.
His fingers trailed across my belly and he stroked his thumb down the strip of fabric between my legs.
Gasping, I arched up.
“I’ve been dreaming of this forever,” he said.
“Me and a jacuzzi?”
“You wearing nothing, s
pread out before me. A feast I can savor until dawn.”
“What are you going to do with me now that you have me?” I said while spreading my legs wider. Yes. Touch me there…and there…
He knelt between my thighs and stroked my slit again with his fingers. “Show you what you’ve been missing.”
I snorted. “Cocky, aren’t you?”
“I don’t do anything halfway.” He tugged my thong to the side and exhaled, his breath making me shiver with arousal.
But his tongue…His mouth…His teeth.
Nibbling and sucking and biting and stroking. In seconds, my thong was gone and his mouth…Hell, his mouth was everywhere.
I whimpered and thrashed my head.
He looked up with satisfaction burning on his face. “Yes?”
“Yes. Now!”
“Not too fast. I’m eager to explore.” He slid his fingers inside me while he bit and sucked. While I urged him on, he moved in and out. Over and over. I writhed and moaned and couldn’t get enough.
“Fuck. So wet, Mia. I’m going to explode.”
“No,” I keened. Sobering, I shook my finger at him. “Better not.”
While he licked and stroked and rubbed, he hummed, and pressure built inside me, a fire only he could put out.
I tipped my head back and lifted my hips, meeting his fingers.
“I’ve got to…” he growled out, leaving me only long enough to lean over the tub and pull a condom from his jacket. A quick rip with his teeth, and he rolled it on.
“I’m on the pill,” I said. “And I tested after…”
“Haven’t been with anyone in over a year. Tested after, too. But I’m keeping you safe.” He rose above me, bracing his arms with his palms beside my shoulders. “How do you want me, honey? Like this or do you want to flip over?”
Bracing my heels on the side of the tub, I lifted my hips toward him, seeking… “Just get inside!”
He chuckled. “Like this?” He pushed just inside my entrance before pulling back out. His arms trembled and his breath came ragged. “Or do you prefer it like this?” He shoved inside me, hard and deep, penetrating me to the hilt.
Shrieking, I writhed and begged him for more but he remained motionless as if awaiting my command.
“Screw me, damn you.”
He growled by my ear. “Love it when you talk dirty.”
“Eli.”
“Yeah, honey?” Hip shifting, he kept up a slow and deep seduction.
“Now.”
“Like this?” Picking up speed, he drove into me, over and over while I panted and urged him on.
“Yes,” I cried out, my body humming, riding a wave toward the peak. I no longer knew if I was answering or just calling for more.
Both. Because my muscles were tensing. I was rushing toward the sky.
While he rubbed between my legs and kept plunging deep inside.
“Take it, honey,” he said hoarsely. “It’s yours.”
Harder. Faster. Skin slapping together, our bodies fusing.
The pressure built inside me. Heat and flames licked along my nerve endings. I gasped and clutched his shoulders and then shuddered, screaming his name.
Head back and muscles more rigid than steel, he crashed with me, groaning and shaking, following me in the wake. Collapsing on top of me, he whispered my name. He sheltered me in his warm arms.
While I slowly slid back down to Earth, he stroked my face and side. Kissed my face, my neck, and my chest.
We dried each other off, our laughter soon turning into something steamy.
We tumbled onto the bed together in a tangle of limbs, our mouths coming together.
* * *
Though I didn’t intend to fall asleep, my eyes eventually closed, and I drifted into a dream where Eli held me close, keeping me from harm.
If only that shrill screaming would stop, then I could hold onto the dream…
Shrill screaming?
My eyes popped open and I jolted upright.
The fire alarm.
I smelled smoke.
18
Eli
I leaped from the bed, staring around feverishly, but didn’t see any flames. The candles we’d left alight flickered, but they hadn’t tipped over or started a fire.
But something—or someone—had.
“We need to get out of here,” I yelled over the harsh squeal of the alarm.
Gasping, Mia slid from the bed and rushed to her overnight bag to dress. I followed, yanking up my jeans and hauling a tee over my head. I stuffed my bare feet into my sneakers and quickly tied them.
“Maybe it’s…I don’t know. Someone left something in a microwave too long?” she shouted over the noise.
“Not on this floor. We’re alone.” At the top of a tower. A long series of stairwells awaited us, and fuck. I didn’t like this. I felt like we were being driven to a certain action. “Too many coincidences.” I grabbed my Jeep keys and slung our overnight bags crisscrossed over my shoulders. Once we left this room, we weren’t coming back. We’d jump in my Jeep and beat it the hell out of here.
I didn’t like how vulnerable we were here. Yes, I’d rigged up a few things to give warning, to trip someone up if they tried to take me down inside the suite, but we had to leave the sanctuary I’d created. And none of this beat the system I’d installed at Mia’s house.
I might take the heat from Mia come morning for leaving if this was just a false alarm, but at least I’d know she was safe. She could make it up to the Foundation after this was all over.
Once I’d taken out whoever was after her.
She snatched up her purse from where she’d left it on a table near the door and, as I stepped into the hall, she looked back into the room wistfully.
Tonight had been special. The start of something new and wonderful for us. I hated seeing it end early, too.
Out in the hall, we coughed, our lungs sucking in smoke that billowed from down the hall to our left. One stairwell available then, because we couldn’t go in that direction. No visible flames but they wouldn’t take long to catch up. Constructed of wood and stone, this place would be engulfed in minutes.
“Jax,” she said hoarsely. “We’ve got to help him.” Holding her hand over her mouth, she tried to filter the air.
I helped her tug up her tee, as well as my own over my face. “Breathe through this.”
We took a flight of stairs down one floor and emerged in the hall housing Jax’s suite. I ran to his room but when I banged on his door, it creaked open.
Why was it unlocked? I felt like this scene was moving too fast; I couldn’t keep up. The doomed feeling of inevitability washed over me.
Shoving the door wide, I rushed into the room, my gun drawn. My heart raced, hyped up on adrenaline. I halted when I was hit by a wall of smoke.
Though dark in the room, the smoke hung thickly as if the fire waited here, smoldering, until it gained enough energy to consume everything around it.
I ducked down low where the air was slightly clearer, and inched forward. “Jax!” He wouldn’t have left without us, which meant he was here somewhere.
“Jax!” Mia echoed from the doorway.
Someone groaned from deeper inside the room, yanking me in that direction. Fear licked up my spine, telling me to run, to get out of here, now. But I would not abandon him.
Jax lay on the floor, unmoving. Unconscious from inhalation?
As I approached, a pool of red revealed itself, surrounding his head.
Fuck. “Jax.” I dropped down beside him and shook him. “Wake up.”
He groaned again and shifted before going motionless again.
Mia dropped down beside me. “Let me see him.” She ran her hands along his spine and limbs quickly then across his head. When she gasped and yanked her hand back, it came away bloody. The face she turned to me echoed the grim emotions inside me. This was bad. “He took a blow to the head. He could have internal bleeding. We’ve got to get him out of here.”
“I’ll get him.” Drag him out if I had to. “You go.”
“What?” She reeled away from me, then coughed as the smoke filled her lungs. A few more seconds of this, and we’d both succumb. “You can’t do this alone. You need help.”
“I need you to get help for me. Take the stairs because you can’t risk getting stuck in the elevator. Get to the ground floor and find someone. Security or the fire department if they’ve arrived. Send them up the stairwell. I’ll meet them and we’ll get Jax out together.”
I could tell she wanted to resist, insist she could help haul him out, but her shoulders slumped before her spine tightened. “I’ll do it.” She leaped to her feet and, clutching her purse like a lifeline, raced from the room.
On heels. I shouldn’t chuckle. Our situation was beyond dire. But those heels…
“Jax, buddy.” I shook his shoulder again, and he groaned. “I’m going to get you out of here but you’ve got to help me.”
“Eli,” he mumbled. “Someone…” He slumped unconscious again.
No missing his ominous tone.
Coughing, I covered my face again with my shirt. Dizzy, I could barely stand. I hefted Jax onto his belly then lifted him up to his knees with my arms underneath his. Once slumped against me and more or less on his feet, I pivoted him around to face me. Choking on fumes, I gasped and fought to drag in clean air, but I was fighting a losing battle. I dropped down, my shoulder meeting his belly, and maneuvered him into a fireman’s lift. We’d trained to do this in the military until it was seamless—no soldier was ever left behind.
I stumbled from the room.
“Fuck, dude. You’re freakin’ heavy.” Pure muscle weighed a lot and while Jax was a few inches shorter than me, he was broader.
The physical therapist told me not to hold back on my training. Thankfully, I’d listened. But my spasming leg told me that, if I made it out of here alive, I needed to increase my training.
I moved out into the hall where the smoke hung thicker than a black curtain. I couldn’t see. My eyes burned like I’d doused them in bleach. The heat and chemicals seared my lungs.
