The Only One

by Melissa Ellen

  I released the breath I didn’t know I was holding as I gazed into his eyes. I knew he meant it. My eyes dropped to his lips as my hands instantly delved through his hair, slamming his mouth to mine. He didn’t resist. He deepened the kiss, probing my lips with his tongue, begging for entrance. I granted it, letting his tongue collide with mine.

  Our kiss was desperate and demanding. Both of us needing each other. My hands hastily went to his shirt, unbuttoning it, wanting to feel his skin on mine. He moved quickly, pulling me to the edge of the couch picking me up without breaking our kiss. I wrapped my legs around his hips as he turned, sitting us back on the couch. I straddled him, pushing my skirt up to my waist.

  It was no fairytale reunion. We had been starved, and we greedily devoured each other, our kisses frenzied and frantic. I stripped him of his shirt as he stripped me of mine. He undid his pants, freeing himself while pushing my panties aside. He lifted me slamming me onto him, not wasting anytime. I didn’t care. I was already wet and ready for him.

  I needed him inside me as much as he needed the same. It was a raw and unadulterated need. His hands held onto my hips as he guided my movement, working us both to the release we had needed for way too long. I moaned my pleasure loudly as my body detonated. He gently placed his hand over my mouth, muffling my breathy screams. “Shhh, babe. You don’t want Amanda to hear you,” he whispered with a chuckle, pulling my mouth to his as my body went limp, relaxing into him.

  Oh, Shit. I totally forgot she was on the plane with us. I broke from our kiss flushed with embarrassment. “Oh my God. What if she walks in?” I panicked, searching for my shirt.

  He laughed. “She won’t. I put the do not disturb light on before I sat with you on the couch.”

  I looked at him with a disapproving eye brow. “That was a little presumptuous of you.”

  He shrugged his shoulders, looking at me unapologetically with his wicked smirk. I smacked him on the shoulder while trying to climb off of him. “Rhett Blackwood. You had it all planned out didn’t you?” He laughed his deep baritone laugh that I missed so much, while holding me tight to keep me from moving off of him.

  “Not exactly. I didn’t expect this, but I knew I didn’t want to be disturbed, either way.” He smiled, giving me a chaste kiss on the lips. “I’m not complaining, though. This is better than I expected. I thought I was going to have to wear you down over the next couple of weeks, and I was prepared to do that.”

  I shook my head at him in disbelief. I loved him more in that moment than ever before. He was never going to give up on us, no matter how hard I made it for him. I had been fighting a losing battle and didn’t know it. I was glad I was on the losing side, because it meant I won him in the end. I smiled at him and gave him a lingering peck on the lips.

  “I need the bathroom.”

  “I don’t want to let you go, yet. I just got you back in my arms.”

  “I’ll be back. I promise. Besides, there’s nowhere else for me to run. Not that I want to,” I looked into his eyes. “I love you, Rhett Blackwood.”

  He kissed me gently then smacked me on the ass as he released me. “Hurry up, beautiful.”

  I returned to the main cabin to find Rhett had converted one of the couches into a fold out bed. He was sitting on the edge of it with his shirt still off and only his pants on. He was a magnificent manly sight as he sat forward with his forearms resting on his knees. His sculpted upper body made the Statue of David look like a scrawny school boy.

  I felt my body go weak with desire, losing my footing. Or maybe that was turbulence? Either way, I wanted him again. I was an addict and he was my personal drug. I couldn’t just have him once. I ungracefully made my way to him as he stood, catching me before I fell over. Okay. Definitely turbulence.

  I still had my shirt off and only my skirt on with my bra and panties. He helped me to the side of the bed where I sat, removing my skirt. He handed me his button up shirt and I put it on. “I figured we would eat a little and then try to get some sleep.”

  “You have food?”

  “Yes. I had Amanda set it up over on the table while you were in the bathroom.” I felt a sudden wave of possessiveness, realizing she saw him with his shirt off. I screwed up my face with the thought. Rhett, knowing what was running through my head, chuckled. Pulling me back up and into his arms, he gave me a sweet kiss on the lips. “Only yours, babe. Remember that.”

  “I know, but I still don’t like other girls ogling you.”

  He smiled fondly at me, pushing my hair behind my ear. “Come on, beautiful. Let’s eat. I need to be back inside you.”

  “Why don’t we just skip the eating then?” I suggested seductively, running my hands down his firm chest.

  “Tempting, but you need to eat. And don’t argue. You’re going to need your energy. I plan to make up for lost time,” he gave me his sexy smile that was reserved only for me. Oh God. I missed that smile.

  “Fine,” I pouted, making my way over to the table with food. I was kind of hungry anyways. Rhett sat across from me, removing the lids covering our food. I couldn’t believe my eyes or my nose. The food looked and smelled delicious. This wasn’t your typical plane food. I felt like we were dining in a five star restaurant as we ate.

  We talked and flirted, constantly touching each other as we enjoyed our food. Rhett had finished eating before me and pulled my feet into his lap. He began massaging them, relaxing me into a further state of bliss. Between the food and his tantalizing hands on my feet, I thought I was going to have another orgasm.

  I leaned back in my seat, closing my eyes, reveling in his touch. His hands started making their way up my calves to my thighs, manipulating my body. He stood, removing his hands from me. I groaned my displeasure at the loss of his touch. I opened my eyes to his smiling face. He put his hand out to help me up.

  I took it, standing slowly. He lifted me into his arms, carrying me steadily over to the bed. He laid me on my back as he moved over me, deliberately keeping his movements slow as his eyes penetrated mine. I widened my legs, letting him settle between them. He kissed me gently on the lips, moving to my neck and then collar bone, as his hand sailed up my thigh, lifting the shirt. He showered my body with soft, warm kisses as he slowly undressed me, causing my body to spasm with anticipation. He groaned as my hips lifted, pleading for him.

  “Ava,” he whispered my name desperately as he kissed between my thighs. “Always so responsive,” he breathed. “That’s how I knew you were still mine.” He continued to torture my body into submission. It was always willing to comply with his demands.

  I moaned with desperation wanting him inside me already, but he was adamant about taking his time working me up. A radical contrast from earlier. Just when I didn’t think I could take it anymore, he towered above me, taking my lips with his as he pushed inside me. He made love to me slow and gentle, but with a force that told me I was his. It was more passionate than any other time we had been together and with all the emotions attached to our reunion, I found myself wanting to take my time loving him back.

  I relaxed in his arms after we finished making love to each other, feeling like everything was finally right with the world. I listened to his heart beat as I lay on his chest and for the first time in years, mine was beating again. He dragged his fingers lightly up and down my arm as I closed my eyes.

  “Goodnight, beautiful,” he whispered, kissing the top of my head. His voice the last thing I heard before drifting off into a deep, satisfied sleep.

  CHAPTER 7

  I awoke to soft kisses being sprinkled across my skin while Rhett’s strong arms held me tight. I opened my eyes, rotating my head to stare up at striking blue eyes. “Hi,” I smiled up at him, feeling giddy inside.

  “Hi, beautiful.” His smile spread across his face before giving me a peck on the lips. I stopped him from pulling back, moving my hand to the back of his head, fortifying his lips to mine. He moved over my still nude body, settling between my legs. His hand skimm
ed up my side, tickling me with excited suspense. I was ready for him, humming my eagerness through our kiss.

  “Mr. Blackwood,” the captain’s muffled voice interrupted over the speaker system, “we’ll be arriving at Heathrow in thirty minutes as scheduled. Please prepare for landing.”

  “Shit,” Rhett groaned, breaking our kiss, irritated at the fact we would not be finishing what we started.

  “Watch your mouth, Mr. Blackwood,” I mocked him, biting my bottom lip to contain my laughter. He was not amused. He responded to my wisecrack with a stern look as he tickled my side, releasing the laughter I was holding in as I squirmed beneath him.

  “Get dressed, beautiful. We’ll finish this at the hotel.”

  “The hotel?”

  “Or the limo, seeing how you seem to have a transportation fetish,” he said with a self-satisfied smirk, trailing kisses up my neck again.

  “Wait. What?” I was even more confused.

  “Okay. Fine. Limo and hotel.”

  “Rhett!” I exclaimed, exasperated, lightly smacking his back.

  “What?” he pulled up to look at me, his brow furrowed.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You, seeming to enjoy sex in limos and planes.”

  “Ugh!” I let out in frustration. “That’s not what I’m asking about. And I am not the one with the fetish. That is all you,” I poked him in the shoulder as he smirked at me. “Why would we be headed to a hotel right now? Didn’t he say Heathrow? That’s London. Not Carrara, Italy.”

  He held his face impassive as he watched me. I could see the wheels turning in his head, trying to figure out how to respond. His silence only igniting my fury.

  “We’re just making a quick stop. I have some business to take care of. We’ll be staying a few nights in London.”

  “What about the business I have to take care of?”

  “I am your business.”

  “You know what I mean, Rhett,” I rolled my eyes. “I have a job to do. I can’t just be frolicking around London as if I’m on vacation.”

  “You can and you will,” he ordered me with a hardened face.

  “No! I’m being paid for my time to be here.”

  “And I’m the one technically paying for your time, so if I require that part of it is spent at your leisure or at mine, then you’re doing your job.”

  “So, now I’m your whore,” I said, making a point I knew he wouldn’t like. His mouth opened and then shut as his brow furrowed. Ha! Point for me.

  “Ava, damn it. You know that’s not what I was implying. Don’t say shit like that.”

  “Fine. Then don’t manipulate me or try to force me into situations. Besides….I know what we’re really doing here,” I smirked at him. “You’re trying to make good on your gift.”

  He attempted to hide the smile forming on his face, telling me I was correct. “I wouldn’t have to manipulate you, if you would stop being so defiant and argumentative all the time,” he stated unapologetically.

  “I’m not-” I stopped short of what I was about to say, as he arched an eyebrow at me, making me realize I was about to argue that I wasn’t argumentative. Crap. Point for him. “Fine. I’ll try to be less argumentative if you try to be less manipulative,” I offered.

  “You like when I manipulate you,” he teased, dropping kisses on my collar bone, working his way up the side of my neck. He was right. I did.

  “Okay,” I breathed, desire rebuilding inside me. “No manipulation outside of the bedroom.”

  “Just the bedroom?” He cocked his head back at me questioningly. “There goes the transportation fetish,” he smirked.

  “You know what I mean!” I laughed.

  “Agreed. Now, let’s move, beautiful. We need to get dressed and seated.” He gave me a chaste kiss before pulling us both out of bed.

  Once we made it through customs, Rhett escorted me to a limo that was waiting for us at the airport. It was early morning in London, and as we drove through the city, I watched it come alive with people, cars and the famous red double decker buses. I had always wanted to ride on one of those. It was something Rhett would probably think was silly, but was on my bucket list if I ever made it to London.

  I stared out the window in awe of the city. Rhett sat close, holding my hand on his leg. I could feel his eyes regarding me. I am sure he would prefer to be doing other things on the drive right now. I glanced over at him, beaming my excitement, inciting a big smile to spread across his face. He winked at me, squeezing my hand that was clasped with his.

  “What do you think?”

  “It’s beautiful and thrilling. It reminds me of the liveliness of New York City, but with an older sophistication. The buildings and bridges are just…” I trailed off, looking back out the window. “I don’t even have the right words for them. They’re enchanting. I almost feel like I’m stepping back in time, with exception of the modern transportation.” I looked back over at him. “Is it weird to have nostalgia for a place you’ve never been to before? I have this crazy urge wanting to make this home.”

  He wore a fond smile on his face as he listened to me ramble on. “We could you know?”

  “We could what?” I asked confused.

  “Make this home.”

  “Don’t be absurd, Rhett. I can’t just move to London.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because,” I responded like an adolescent.

  “Because is not a reason, Ava.” He prompted me to expand on my answer. I sighed with annoyance.

  “Because, that would be crazy! Because I have a job that I love. And friends and family who I have a hard enough time living on the other side of the country from. I couldn’t imagine being on another continent.”

  “It’s only a couple more hour’s flight time than from where you live now.”

  Says the man with a personal jet at his disposal. I shook my head at him in frustration, turning to look back out at the city. He just chuckled lightly and kissed the back of my head.

  The limo pulled up outside the Mandarin Oriental near Hyde Park, only blocks from Harrods and across the street from Harvey Nichols. I couldn’t contain my excitement. I immediately decided I would be taking a run through Hyde Park in the morning. I had packed some running clothes, thinking I would get in a morning run at the hotel gym, but running through Hyde Park was way more appealing.

  After getting out of the limo, I spun slowly, looking around, taking it all in. I was already in love with the city and I hadn’t even really experienced it. I felt Rhett’s hand at the small of my back as I stared up at the massive, enticing, red brick and stone Edwardian style building that towered before me. It exuded elegance and sophistication, screaming opulence. The façade was enhanced by the balconies that projected from the face along each story as it rose into the sky.

  I wasn’t surprised by his choice of hotel. He was a Blackwood, after all.

  “Should we go in, or would you like to stand out here a little longer?”

  I heard the hilarity in his voice that was complimented by the smile he revealed when I tilted my head to look up at him. I playfully nudged him with my elbow as he wrapped his arm around me to guide me inside.

  The interior was just as sumptuous. I walked through awe-struck, trying to process where I was. It was a good thing Rhett was guiding me, because I hadn’t bothered watching where I was going. It was like a visual overdose. There was so much to look at, and I indulged greedily. I didn’t even realize we had made it to the reception desk until my inattentiveness was disturbed by Rhett’s voice.

  “Which room would you prefer, Ava?”

  “Huh?” I responded ignorantly, confused what we were talking about.

  “I had booked the suite facing Hyde Park, but would you prefer a Knightsbridge suite?”

  I looked at him with a furrowed brow. He had only booked one room? That was a very bold move. Of course, at this point, I guess it wasn’t. I mean, we barely made it across the Atlantic before he had me
naked and panting. As if knowing my inner turmoil, he interrupted my thoughts.

  “Ava, it’s a two bedroom suite.”

  Oh. “Hyde Park.” I finally answered.

  He shook his head with amusement. Then turned back to the pretty English woman, giving her a nod to proceed with the check-in.

  When we crossed the threshold to the suite, Rhett released his hold on my hand. He walked towards one of the bedrooms while removing the suit he had been wearing on the flight. “I’m going to shower, and then I have a meeting to get to. Would you like to join me in the shower?” He smiled playfully.

  “You’re leaving?” My question came out more needy and desperate than I intended. I immediately chided myself. His statement had just taken me by surprise. I had thought he was only claiming he had business here in London. I didn’t think he would truly be leaving to attend business meetings.

  His face dropped as he looked at me. He moved back towards me, taking me in his arms. He tilted his head down, touching his forehead with mine as I gazed up at him. “Babe, it’ll just be for a few hours. I figured you could explore a little.”

  “I thought we would be doing that together,” I said disappointed. What was wrong with me?

  “We will, after my meeting. Maybe you could check out the shops. Then we’ll meet back up,” he offered. I could see the remorse on his face, and I felt terrible for making him feel bad. This was technically a business trip for both of us.

  “Of course. Don’t worry about me,” I smiled weakly at him. He kissed my forehead.

  “Shower? We have some unfinished business of our own to attend to.” His devilish grin reclaimed his face.

  “Yes,” I said, smiling wider now. The thoughts of a naked, wet Rhett instantly lifted my spirits.

  I lay on my side in the oversized, plush hotel bed of soft, twisted, white sheets, admiring Rhett as he readied himself to leave for his meeting. My body was sated, my mind was blissful and my heart was filled with love and adoration. His hands moved efficiently as he knotted his black, silk tie around his neck into perfection.