“There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” he says as he pulls me toward him and kisses me with more force than the situation suggests is appropriate. I couldn’t care less.
“I met an old friend and then met Annie and Derek here who are in need of some catering,” I reply as I look adoringly into rather darkened eyes and almost melt at the lust pouring out of them.
“All work and no play, Miss Scott? From you?” he says, raising that eyebrow. “I’m sorry, guys. I really am going to have to tear her away from you. The speech is in ten and I’d like a moment with my girlfriend alone if you don’t mind,” he says, looking at the very cute Annie and Derek and throwing them his award-winning smile. They smile and nod as we leave the bar and head up the stairs. Where the hell is he taking me now? Turning the corner, Alex starts sliding a card randomly into various doors and eventually one opens. Pushing me inside, he pulls the door closed and I find myself standing in a linen cupboard with him.
“A linen cupboard?” I ask, chuckling as he pushes me backwards into the racks of linen and grabs the bottom of my dress.
“Swiped the card off a receptionist,” he says as he finds his way between my legs with his hand.
“That’s very naughty, Mr. White. I think its called theft.” I giggle.
“Been there, done that. Really quite good at it,” he responds as he clasps his hands around my arse.
“Oh god. What are you doing? In here, really?” I ask in mock amazement. Nothing shocks me with him anymore.
“Fucking you, very quickly if I get my way. I’ve thought of nothing else since you stepped out of the car and I can’t bear it anymore.” He groans as he hooks his fingers into my g-string, rips it off and throws it over his shoulder. “I’ll get you some more.” Okay, whatever.
My breathing becomes shallow very quickly as it hits me that he’s actually going to do this in a bloody linen cupboard. Unbelievably, my body reacts as quickly as it normally does when he’s near me and I feel instantly ravenous for him. “I’d like to ravage those lips, Miss Scott, but I’m sure everyone will know what we’ve been up to so grab onto that rail and put those incredible legs around my waist.” He growls as he indicates above my head with his chin and unzips his trousers, pulling himself free. As I lift my hands and find a solid hold, he grasps my thighs and lifts me straight onto his waiting and very impressive manhood.
“Oh, Christ.” He grunts into my neck as he rams into me. Tugging at the back of my neck, he forces me to look at him and stills himself. “Look at me. Watch me show you how I feel about you.”
Slowly pulling back, he keeps his eyes locked with mine. A small smile plays across his lips as he eases back in again. “Beautiful, and all mine. Mine,” he growls as he pushes back in again, this time with more force and far more aggression. My mouth hangs open and my breathing shortens as the stretch overwhelms me with lust. He begins to increase his speed. The force with which he keeps pounding me is unbelievable. Where the hell does the man get his stamina? His mouth parts and his eyes bore into mine as he shows me what he has to give me, what he can do to me in only a few minutes. The vision of his feral glare has my core instantly tightening as I feel the familiar build of my orgasm start.
Tilting my head back, I try to keep a hold on the bar above me. My fingers are becoming wet from the tension of hanging on but I let the swirling sensations take over my body and just feel him, all of him, taking me. This isn’t for me. This is him taking what he wants at the exact moment he decides he wants it, what he deserves and he can have me, anywhere he wants to and in any situation as far as I’m concerned. I’m all his.
“God, I love being inside you. Tell me you want me, Elizabeth. Tell me you’re mine.” He groans as I feel him thickening and my insides quivering for release.
“Yes, yours. Completely. Oh god. Yes... Alex...” I hiss as he changes his angle and plunges back in again. My insides start to explode as he pushes his body closer to me and wraps his arms around my back, whispering my name as he drives himself into me and finds his own moment of ecstasy. Regardless of the situation we’re in, I couldn’t feel closer to him. His fingers drop down to my backside to hold me up as he keeps gently moving in and out of me, groaning out his pleasure as if it’s he’s comforted.
Eventually, I release my grip on the rail and slide down his body, keeping one leg wrapped around him and nuzzling into his chest. One of his strong arms is still on my waist and the other is grasping onto my thigh as he tenderly kisses the top of my head and rubs his cheek against my hair. Minutes pass as we just stand there holding each other tight, in the bloody linen room.
“Well that’s a first,” he eventually says with a small chuckle, still panting. “I’ve never done that in a linen cupboard before.” I giggle and look up at him.
“Neither have I, and I can assure you that I won’t forget it a hurry either. You were quite unrelenting, Mr. White.”
“What the hell do you expect? Look at you. I’ve had to watch every man ogle you and paw at you, which has incensed me to the point of breaking, I might add. I’m not sure how I made it this far through the evening before having you or fucking killing someone else,” he grinds out as he scowls and draws his fingers across my chest. Lowering his head, he kisses my neck and looks back up with that disabling smile of his. “I may very well have to do it again before we leave.” I smile softly.
“I’ll take that as a compliment, I think.” I chuckle in response as my head quirks. “Is that a hint of jealousy I hear, Mr. White?” I question cheekily, grinning at him.
“Where you’re concerned, Elizabeth, I think my jealousy knows no bounds. Strange really, I’ve never been one to care that much before now.” He smiles and gently places a kiss on my lips, lingering, pulling back and then doing it again. Grabbing a towel from the rack, he pulls out of me and softly cleans me up and then tucks himself away and gazes at me for a few moments. I have no idea what’s going on in his head but I know mine is full of love for the man in front of me. He abruptly shakes his head and begins smoothing my dress down and messing with the hem until it looks perfect. I hear him muttering something to himself about devils again and as he rises back up in front of me, he takes my jaw in his hands and frowns. His piercing blue eyes look into mine as if he has so much to tell me with them.
“You, Elizabeth, are utterly astounding. You captivate me and I am completely unworthy of your affection, or attention for that matter. I don’t know why you came into my life but I promise that I’ll try to give you everything you need from me,” he whispers as his face softens. “You’re perfect. Do you know that? You make me want to give you everything, share everything, become more than I currently am.” My heart almost melts under the heat of his gaze. It’s beautiful, painfully truthful, as if he’s trying desperately to show me something that he can’t quite put into words. My hand goes to his jaw instinctively. God, I love him.
“And that is one of the main reasons why I love you so much,” I reply without thinking at all, and then realise what has come out of my mouth.
My hand shoots back from his face to his arm as comprehension sets in and I become completely aware of what I’ve just admitted. I absolutely did not mean to say that out loud. His whole body stiffens as his face turns from soft and relaxed to confused, his smile suddenly replaced by something similar to bewilderment or maybe even panic.
Oh, shit. What the hell have I done? He said no emotion, you idiot. But he gave me emotion, didn’t he? He said all those lovely things, and I had to say something. Maybe it was a bit too much but the words were out of my mouth before I even thought of stopping them. I couldn’t have anyway. Actually, maybe I could if my brain to mouth filter was working more appropriately, but clearly it isn’t. In fact, I’m not even sure if I wanted to stop it tumbling out. Regardless of whether he’s ready or not, I love him, deeply, yes rather confusingly, but somehow I just know that he’s everything I need and want. It’s probably the stupidest part of me that believes this is
possible between us but I have to trust that it might be okay, that we might stand a chance. Or rather, that I might.
He stares at me a while longer, as if he’s trying to digest the information he’s received. At least his face isn’t impassive because that would be completely shit. His cheekbone seems to have a developed a twitch of some sort, and his eyes have narrowed slowly, showing his bafflement or maybe its displeasure. I’m really not sure but it’s out there now so I just wait for some sort of response and hope it’s going to be positive.
More time passes as he continues to look at me. Occasionally he opens his beautiful mouth and then closes it again before he’s said anything. His hands are both firmly grasped at my hipbones as if clinging on for dear life while mine lie gently on his arms, not moving an inch. I have absolutely no clue as to what I’m supposed to say or do next and to be honest, it’s probably his move now so I just keep staring back. I can feel my lips trembling. I also have no clue as to what I’m supposed to do with that either so I gaze into deep blue eyes hoping that he understands. Even if he doesn’t feel the same, it doesn’t matter. Oh god, I hope he does. Shit, what if he doesn’t? Is this it? Nice one, Beth.
“...And now for the man of the night, Mr. Alexander White, ladies and gentlemen...”
Clap, clap, clap. Thunderous applause and cheering begins to emanate from downstairs, then stamping of feet ensues and more clapping.
I look into his unmoving eyes, which are still boring into mine. He clearly hasn’t heard his name being called or even registered the announcement.
“Alex, they’re calling for you. You have to go,” I say quietly, trying to get his attention.
“No, they can fuck off,” he responds abruptly, looking at my mouth and biting his bottom lip, still frowning.
“It’s okay. This is important to you. You have to go. Go and make some more money for them,” I say with a small smile as I push against his arms a bit to encourage him toward the door. There’s no shifting him as he increases his grip on me.
“I can’t. I haven’t found the words yet and I don’t know how to-”
“Alex, go. This can wait. It was stupid of me. I didn’t mean to...” I cut across him and turn for the door myself. One of us has to get him down those stairs.
“Don’t say that. Don’t tell me that wasn’t real, that you didn’t mean it,” he says from behind me.
I turn immediately to find him staring at the floor, unable to meet my eyes for the first time. The lost look of a little boy who feels alone and betrayed drifts through my mind, and for the first time I see the vision of torture and turmoil beneath the man in front of me. He’s nervous, maybe even terrified. What have so many years of hiding the truth done to him? Has he no clue as to how he should react, what he should say. His face looks full of unknown emotions and his eyes hold what appears to be fear - the same eyes I saw at his father’s house when he touched the banister rail, the same eyes he had while he stared at that damned door. That is absolutely not what my words are supposed to induce from him. I want him happy, elated, in love with me, not scared of the possibility.
Break the moment Beth, for God’s sake. Get him back together. He has to be on stage now.
DO SOMETHING!
“Head up, unless I tell you not to.” I smirk, gently trying to lift his chin. “I meant every word of it. I love you, Alex. I love you very much.” His head comes up and as small grin starts to play around his mouth, I smile and relax a little, and then that bloody frown returns. “Stop whatever it is you’re confusing yourself about and go, Alex. Show me what you’re made of. I want to see you achieve this for yourself,” I say as I gaze lovingly at the glorious man standing in front of me with all his emotions fighting underneath his skin. My insides still tremble as I desperately try to hold myself together for him, for this moment.
“...Well we appear to have lost our patron, ladies and gentleman. I dare say he’s getting up to no good somewhere. The man really is intolerable sometimes.” Applause and hysteric laughter erupt again. “Please take your seats again and we’ll find him for you. Be very prepared to get your wallets out. We all know how adamantly persuasive he can be...”
I raise my eyebrow at him and as his grin grows wide again, he takes my hand in his and moves to the door.
“This isn’t finished yet,” he mutters, opening the door and glancing around the hall. “So bloody perfect, unbelievable,” he continues as we leave the room and he drags me down the stairs behind him. I have no idea what to think about his reaction, but I know I haven’t got time to think about it now as the door to the ballroom approaches fast.
He saunters into the main room with me in tow, his hand in his pocket and the most magnificent smile plastered across his face as he pulls me close to him and leads me to the table. I can’t help but grin radiantly as every face watches us move across the floor. The crowd erupts with applause. Wolf whistles and cheers start up again as he pulls out my chair and sits me down. Filling my glass with champagne, he kisses the back of my hand and lets it go as he swaggers across to the stage, never removing his eyes from mine. God almighty, I’ve just told Alexander White that I love him. Why the hell did I do that? And in a fucking linen cupboard, for God’s sake. What the hell is wrong with me? I’m completely insane or something.
I watch as a man shakes his hand and waves him onto the stage while whispering something in his ear. Alex beams at him and slaps him on the back. Finding my face again, he throws me a wink and goes to the centre of the stage. They were so talking about me. His whole demeanour changes in those seconds. Suddenly the arrogant and completely in control of himself man appears on the stage like the true professional he is and my heart leaps at the sight of his absolute superior presence again. How the hell he’s just transformed himself is completely baffling but I thankfully relax a little, realising he’s going to be okay. I lean back onto my chair, trying to calm the nerves that are now welling up inside me because of my catastrophic timing.
“Sorry I’m late, ladies and gentleman. I was a little preoccupied with a rather delightful distraction and I lost track of time,” he says with that suggestive right eyebrow. Laughter and jeers ensue as the room looks toward me and I flush beet red. Bastard!
“Can’t blame you for that, Alexander. I’d be distracted too,” a large man at the next table shouts at him as his wife slaps him jovially and smiles at me.
“Watch it, Freddie or I’ll tell Heidi about the Lamborghini you bought last week. Oh, fuck, I think I just did, sorry. Heidi, really it wasn’t that much money at all,” he says with a wicked chuckle and a smile. Large man looks momentarily irritated and then looks at his wife in shock as she kisses him. The crowd oohs and ahs, continuing with their laughter as Alex tries to find a way back to his speech. Eventually all heads turn and he begins speaking.
“So we all know why we’re here and I am of course extremely grateful to all who have already donated, but I just wanted to give you a little something more to think about to see if I could persuade you to give me some more of that hard earned cash that sits uselessly in your bank accounts. It really could be doing so much more.
“A few years ago, I met a young girl called Sophie. She was found in an alleyway in Birkenhead with a broken arm, three broken ribs and a fractured skull. The cafe owner who took her to the hospital informed the nurse that she had been working the streets for a living for the last few years because she had a drug problem. Now, while some of you might be thinking that was her own fault, I can assure you it wasn’t.
“Sophie grew up in a home with a mother who repeatedly beat her and a father and brother who continually raped her. She lost her virginity aged eleven as her mother held her down for her father, apparently telling her that this was perfectly normal and that if she just relaxed, she’d enjoy it.”
My hand instantly shoots to my mouth as I gasp at the revolting thought, as do most of the women in the room.
“She was taken into the care system and in turn they passed her c
ase to our people. So thankfully, because of your money and our time, Sophie has transformed herself into a new person. She’s already working at one of our centres as one of our specialist counsellors and is taking her degree next year.
“She has a future to be happy with and people to talk to in the dark times that will more than likely haunt her for the rest of her life. She knows that, but she’s prepared to try for normal, to accept that there might be a happily ever after and that maybe one day she’ll find someone to spend the rest of her life with. Someone who’ll protect her and hold onto her when the times get tough, because we all need that, don’t we?” He looks across at me and smiles.
“Someone who cares enough to let you just be yourself and accept your complications.” I beam back at him with every ounce of love I can find while trying desperately to contain my tears at what must be going through his mind as he recants this. He turns his head toward the back of the room and flashes a brilliant grin briefly before turning back to the rest of the crowd.
“She’s here tonight, sitting amongst you. She wanted to be here to see the people who had changed her life. She wanted to say thank you and encourage you all to give more. If I could show you who she is, I would because she is undoubtedly a very beautiful and inspiring young lady, but she says she’s not ready and I can understand that. So instead, I’ll propose a toast. Maybe next year she’ll be more ready. Well done, Sophie. You make me both humble and extremely proud. Oh, and by the way, could you call me? There’s someone I want you to meet soon,” he says as he raises his glass at no one in particular. The whole room responds and cheers as they clink glasses together. “Why the hell am I not seeing more cheque books, people? I won’t be accepting no for an answer. You know I never do anyway and if you’ve already given, I want more from you anyway.”
Wow! He really is extraordinarily good at this. I watch the room as several cheque books land on the tables and people begin to scribble amounts down, either in fear or compliance. I’m not sure which, but probably both if I’m honest.
Seeing White Page 50
