Room to Breathe

by Nicole Brightman

  “Come here,” he says grabbing me by the wrist. He pulls me to standing and kisses me again. I am so aware of every inch of my body. I feel like I could burst into flames.

  “Eric, please, I need you,” I plead desperately.

  “I like hearing you say that,” he says smiling a coy smile at me increasing my need. He lifts me by my hips and set me up on the bed. “Lay back, honey.”

  I do as he asks as he places my heels on the edge of the bed. He looks down at me. “Every inch of you is so pretty,” he says in barely more than a whisper. He finally unfastens his jeans and lets them slip over his hips. His short boxer briefs follow and he is standing in front of me looking as perfect as I could possibly imagine.

  He runs his hands over my thighs easing them apart. He takes his thumb and gently presses it to my hard button as he rubs it in circular motion. My back arches off the bed.

  “You are so damn sweet,” he whispers as he presses the tip of his cock against my opening. Very slowly he enters me, stretching me fully. He pauses giving my body a moment to adjust to him. He then starts to move in and out of me slowly at first. He guides each of my ankles so that they are braced on his shoulders.

  I want to sit up so that I can touch him. I start to rise up on my elbows and he places a hand on my chest gently urging me down. “Not yet, honey,” he says as he runs his hand down my body until his thumb finds my clit. He continues to massage it as his body crashes into mine. I feel my inner muscles clamp down around him as I near my end.

  “Oh, that feels so good,” I softly moan.

  “Let go, honey,” he requests. I do as he asks and feel the warm release spread from my center to the very tips of my body. I pulse around him, my body silently begging him to follow me. A moment later he does. He is shaking slightly as he calls out my name and folds himself on top of me.

  His head is resting on my chest as I sleepily run my fingers through his dark hair. He slides from me and stands up.

  “You are wonderful,” he says as he urges me further on the bed. I half crawl half roll until my head is resting on the mountain of pillows. Eric follows me onto the bed.

  “Thank you. You are pretty wonderful yourself.” I smile at him. I have a feeling I am not going to be able to stop smiling for a while.

  I take a moment to look around the room a little more. It is over all feminine and what I would have expected to find in an English country manor. There is a dressing table and chair opposite the bed. Also a small table and high back chair with a lamp. There is a door, that is closed, that assume leads to a bathroom. There is no chance this is Eric’s room.

  “Whose room is this?” I ask.

  “Yours. Don’t you like it?”

  “Oh no, I love it. I just knew it couldn’t be yours,” I respond still a little confused. I guess it was silly of me to think we would be sharing a room. We are supposed to be casual and sharing a room wouldn’t really give that impression.

  “Are you sure? If you don’t like it I can have another one arranged for you. I picked this one because it made me think of you and it is next to mine but I can show you the others if you would like,” Eric says, furrowing his brow at me.

  “No, really I like it, honest. How many other rooms are there?”

  “Well the manor has eight rooms total but including you six of them are occupied right now.”

  “Who else is here?” I inquire. I am a little thrown. I would have thought he would have told me other people were living here.

  “Well let’s see. Dean lives here full time and has a permanent room in my home in London too. Then there is my room obviously. The other three rooms are taken by Claire, Lucinda, and Brad,” he answers and seems slightly uncomfortable.

  “Okay, so who are they?” That’s wonderful. I have agreed to live with three people I have never even met. Maybe I didn’t think this through enough.

  “Claire is a charge but she has lived here since I made the move and lived in London with me too. She doesn’t have any family and it was imperative that she finish college before I would help match her. So, I let her stay with me but there is no need to scowl at me. There has never been anything but friendship between us,” he explains running his thumb across my tense forehead. I didn’t know I was scowling until he pointed it out.

  “Sorry,” I apologize. “What about the other two?”

  “Brad is another charge. He has been here just two weeks now and has a few pending matches. As for Lucinda, she is a little harder to explain. She is sort of a former charge. She has had a tough few months and I am letting her stay here as a favor to her sister. I hope that she will find an opportunity to do anything, really,” he says with a heavy sigh.

  “She has been matched twice before and both times it didn’t end well. It will be best if you just steer clear of her. She is a fairly horrible person,” he says in a serious tone.

  “Okay, I will do my best. So how will you match Claire and Brad up?”

  “Well there are a slew of benefactors looking for charges. We sort through them until we find possible matches. Then the charges and benefactors communicate for a few weeks to feel each other out. After that I usually have some sort of event that they can all meet in person to how they get along. I’m hosting a large gala in a few weeks for this purpose. It is going to be quite a bit larger than what I usually would do. It is to show off the manor as well. It will be the first time that I have had any kind of gathering out here.”

  “That sounds like fun,” I say with a smile. I leave out that it all so sounds a little scary. I have never been to any kind of gala and he talks about it like it is Sunday brunch. Sometimes I wonder if our worlds are just too different.

  “I hope it will be. You will be fantastic. Don’t worry, honey. Everyone I know is going to be head over heels with you,” he reassures me as he runs the back of his hand across my cheek.

  “Are you sure? Sometimes I worry that I really just don’t fit here,” I confess.

  “Cora, please don’t ever worry about that. I know that this is different for you but if I didn’t think it would work I wouldn’t have asked you here. Trust me when I say that you fit perfectly,” he says as his expression softens. He can be so sweet sometimes.

  “Well that is good to know.”

  “Honey, do you want something to drink? I feel I am in need of a cup of tea,” he asks while still stroking my hair.

  “I am a little thirsty but I am so comfortable. The last thing I want to do right now is leave this room,” I say as I snuggle against him tighter.

  “I think you forgot where you are,” he says with a slight chuckle. He rolls over and presses a button on a black rectangular box on the night table. Within seconds a voice comes out from it.

  “Yes, Miss Allen,” the sweet voice asks.

  “Sally, this is Lord Ashford,” Eric replies.

  “Oh, apologies your Lordship.”

  “Oh no, don’t worry about that. Could you bring a tea tray up to Miss Allen’s room? Just leave it at the door please.”

  “Of course, your Lordship. I’ll do it straight away.”

  “That was one of the maids, Sally,” Eric said taking the black box off the night table. It seems to be wireless. “This is the control center for this room. Every room has them but in the common rooms downstairs they are a little different.”

  “Okay, what is a control center?” I ask as I stare at the little black box trying to figure it out.

  “Well, it controls the room. You can program it when you have a moment. After that when you enter the room all you have to do is enter your password and it will adjust the room to your liking,”

  “What do you mean ‘my liking’?”

  “It will adjust the lights and temperature to whatever you have programmed. It works as an intercom as well. This button rings the servants down stairs. If you need anything they can get it for you.”

  “’Anything?”

  “Yes, anything.”

  “Really? What if I wan
t doughnuts from my favorite place in Oregon?”

  “Doughnuts, seriously?”

  “Yes, seriously! Everyone knows the best doughnuts in the world come from Portland, Oregon!”

  “Okay, so not ‘anything’ but most reasonable requests will be fulfilled. And if there are any concerning this area,” he rubs my breasts, “or this area,” his hand slides down between my legs. “I will be more than happy to take care of them myself.”

  “I love how you can be so proper most of the time and then so dirty other times,” I sigh.

  “I was raised to be proper so I don’t even notice it really. As for the dirty, I blame you entirely,” he says, kissing along my jaw and down to my neck.

  “Me?” I ask innocently as I run my hands through his dark hair.

  “Yes, you. You are so different from any other woman I have ever been with. It is easy to forget who I am when I am with you.” His hand continues to work the most sensitive part of my body.

  “You keep doing that and I am going to forget who I am,” I say trembling slightly. He kisses my mouth and I lost in him once again. I run my hands over his toned body. I love how firm he is under my fingers. His skin is soft and smells of warm spice and clean. My hand glides down his body until I find his increasing hardness. I slide my hand up and down the full length. He closes his eyes and inhales sharply.

  “I can’t get enough of you touching me,” he says in a breathy whisper.

  “Good, because I really like touching you,” I say with a coy grin as I slide my body out of his grasp. I pull myself up until I am kneeling next to him. He opens his eyes to look up at me.

  “Come here,” he requests. I lean down as he pulls my mouth to his. I kiss him briefly before sitting back up. I place one leg over him so that I am straddling his hips. I lean forward to kiss his lips and feel him twitch against me.

  “I swear I could kiss you all day,” I say smiling against his mouth.

  “I can think of other things to do all day,” Eric smirks back as he grasps my hips with both hands. He lifts me and slides easily into my very ready pussy. “You are so impossibly tight,” he sighs as he pushes all the way in.

  He guides me up and down a few times before moving his hands to cup my breasts. I find my rhythm, riding him hard as he teases my nipples. His touch drives me to the edge fast. I want to enjoy the feeling of him inside me for a while. I ease his hands from my breasts back to my hips. He helps lift me and pumps his hips into me in time with my own. I am so overcome I have to put my hands on his chest to steady myself. His breathing is becoming more ragged and I know he is close. I lean my hip forward slightly so my clit is grinding against him. I know instantly that my own release is closer than I thought. In only a moment my inner muscles tighten around him and I am about to come undone.

  “Eric, I want you come with me,” I say in a whisper that is barely audible.

  “God, Cora, you are amazing,” he replies bringing his hips up to meet mine with more force. My body begins to shudder and quake harder than I knew was possible as he slams into me once more. Eric starts to shake beneath me calling out my name as I feel him empty himself into me.

  I lean down and kiss him deeply and the collapse next him. I take a moment to catch my breath. I am happily drained. I roll to my side and rest my head on Eric’s chest and snuggle up against him. He gently runs his fingers through my hair again. I am so happy in this moment I could stay just like this for days. My head feels cloudy and yet quiet all at the same time. I easily slip into a peaceful sleep.

  Chapter 13

  I wake after what feels like twelve hours of sleep. I grab my phone and see that it was ten hours. I did have quite a workout with Eric yesterday. Speaking of my handsome lord, I roll over to find the rest of the bed is empty. There is a note and single pink rose. The note reads:

  Honey, I had some errands to run. You were too peaceful to wake. Breakfast is on the table. See you soon my beautiful American girl. E xo

  I look over at the little table in my room to see a silver tray with some fruit, toast, and tea. I climb out of bed. I decide to forgo my usual yoga this morning since it is more like early afternoon. Besides I don’t think it is humanly possible to feel more relaxed than I do right now. I down a piece of toast and a cup of tea while checking my email on my phone. I don’t have any interesting emails. I return the phone to the night stand and grab my iPod.

  I go into the bathroom to take a much needed shower. My body is pleasantly sore from last night’s activities. I am longing for the hot water to relax my muscles. I remembered there is an iPod dock on the long counter near the vanity area. I drop my player into the dock and turn it on to a play list of my favorite songs.

  The room is large and luxurious with a door leading to a good size closet. It is in soft warm tan and white. It is one of the most relaxing spaces I have ever been in. There is a large deep tub that could easily fit two people. I briefly contemplate taking a bath instead until I see the shower. Holy goodness! It is lined with what looks like river rocks. There isn’t a door just a slightly raised border. It has several nozzles on each end of the shower placed at different angles and one large one above. I turn on the water until it is nice and hot.

  As soon as I step in I am in love. The water massages every inch of my body. I may never leave this shower. I notice there is a small shelf where my toiletries have been placed. Washing my hair feels so good I start forget where I am. I am so content, that with only being slightly aware, I start singing. I am far from the best singer in the world but I do love to sing.

  As I sing the last line telling some girl where to go along with C-Lo I hear the distinct sound of clapping. I whirl around the see Eric leaning against the counter with a big smile on his face.

  “Sweet Jesus! You scared the fuck out of me! What are you doing in here?”

  “Well, I came to see about joining you but when I heard you singing I didn’t want to disturb you. You have a nice voice you know.”

  “Um, not really. Somehow I doubt X Factor will be calling anytime soon.”

  “Well, I don’t know about that but one judge seems like a bit of a tosser anyways. I meant it though, you sing well. Sing something else.”

  “Really? I was just about to get out.” I say as I rinse the conditioner out of my hair. I may love to sing but the idea of singing in front of someone when I know they are listening makes my knees turn to jelly.

  “Yes really. Here let me play a different song. I am sure you have some Katy Perry on here,” he chuckles as he starts searching through my music. “Um, what is this play list that says ‘Eric’?”

  “Oh, that is nothing. I think it is probably an auto-correct mistake,” I say even though I am sure he didn’t buy it.

  “Uh huh, and look there is a Katy Perry song on it,” he presses the display to start playing Teenage Dream. Figures he would pick this song. It always makes me think of Eric, all the songs on this playlist do. I know I am blushing bright red. Not only am I standing there naked but he is waiting for me to sing.

  “Okay, fine.” I close my eyes and start to sing along. As I am saying them the lyrics seem to resonate with me more. I really would love to run away with him and never look back. It hits me then that whatever this is between him and I may not be as casual as I thought. At least on my end.

  As I finish the second chorus I open my eyes to look over at Eric. He is walking to the shower. “Are you finished in there?”

  “Yes, I was just enjoying the water.”

  “Good. Turn the water off.” I do as he asks without question. He grabs a large soft towel off the warmer. He pulls me from the shower and wraps the towel around me. He lifts me into his arms and starts to carry me from the bathroom.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I am taking you to bed.”

  “You can’t. My hair is still soaking wet!”

  “I don’t care about your hair and don’t tell me what I can or can’t do,” he says seriously as he places me on the
bed. He climbs easily on top of me and kisses my mouth. His tongue is teasing at mine and drinking me in. Eric props himself up on his elbows at either side of my head and looks down at me. “I like you just like this, your hair a mess and no make-up on. You seem vulnerable and real. You have no idea how perfect it is.”

  He moves his kisses down to my jaw and then to my neck. I moan softly and loop my fingers in his dark hair. He continues to leave a trail of kisses down my body stopping between my breasts to take a moment to lick and suck at each of my nipples. I start to squirm under him.

  “Your skin is so soft,” he whispers against me as he continues his path south. He kisses over my middle until he reaches the apex of thighs. He takes turns kissing the little hollow on each side where my leg meets my body. I squirm a little more with each kiss, trying to urge him closer to my center.

  He looks up at me and smiles a devilish smile. I love the spark in his eyes right now. Very slowly he leans forward and touches the tip of his tongue gently on my throbbing clit. I gasp loudly as my body quivers to his light touch. Eric responds by sinking into me. His tongue laps at every inch of my sex causing my back to arch up off the bed.

  He dips his tongue down and kisses my very core deeply. After a few moments he moves his attention back up to my clit and slides two of his fingers easily into me.

  “Oh Eric, that feels so good,” I say in more of a moan than anything.

  “You feel so good to me too,” he says before continuing his affections. He works his fingers in and out of me in time with his mouth until I find complete and total release. Every fiber of my skin feels like electricity is pulsing through it. I am just a ball of pure pleasure and energy. Once my shuddering stops, he moves up my body and kisses me sweetly on my forehead before lying next to me.

  Eric rolls on to his side and pulls me to him. I love breathing him in. There is something about the way he smells that makes me giddy. He rests his chin on top of my head and wraps his arms around me. I am happy and content to just lay here for days with him.