I stepped back, pulling my hands away. She stumbled forward and I caught her around the waist, bringing her back to my chest. She was trembling, her body shaking, her breath coming out in small gasps. My cock was hard and aching, my body tense with the desire to do all those things I told her, to feel her molded to me, to taste her. She moved back, both of us groaning as I surged up against her ass. “That is what I’m going to do to you.” I dropped a heavy kiss onto her head. “I promise you—the first time. Every time. You’ll know who you belong to.”
I spun her around so she was facing me. Her eyes were wide, with so many emotions swirling in their depth.
“I can be gentle, too,” I vowed. “I want to lay you on my bed and make love to you until you forget everything but us. I want to bury myself inside you for hours and watch you come.”
Her eyes softened, melting into pools of blue water.
“We’re going to be amazing together. Whether you want me to take you hard, or make love to you in the slowest way possible, I am the right man for you.”
I dropped another kiss on her mouth. “When you’re ready, my girl. When you’re ready.”
I moved away, the physical act of separating from her painful. I made it a few feet when she whispered my name. “Adam.”
I turned, forcing a smile to my face.
“I’m on the pill,” she said quietly.
I nodded in understanding. “I’m clean. It’s been a long time for me. When you’re ready, we’re good.”
In a move I didn’t expect, she launched herself at me and I caught her, stumbling back to the bed, holding her tight to my body.
“Now,” she pleaded. “I want you now. Teach me, Adam.”
We sunk to the mattress, our mouths fused together.
She was ready.
Thank God.
I tore her shirt off, the material ripping under my hands easily. Between us, the rest of our clothing disappeared, some pieces pulled off intact, others torn and thrown away—littering the room around us.
Her skin was as soft as I knew it would be. It tasted sweeter than I imagined. I stroked and caressed her, fanning the flames until they ignited into an inferno within her. I trailed my fingers over her body, following them with my mouth. I relished her gasps, soothed her shudders, and learned how to make her quiver and beg for me.
I lay myself out for her, watching with hooded eyes as she explored and learned my body. I encouraged her explorations, pleading for her touch, which grew bolder as we lost ourselves in the vortex of lust between us. Her hot mouth tugged on my nipples, her hands stroked my aching cock, and her body shook with passion as she watched my reactions. Sitting up, I pulled her back to my mouth, praising her, whispering how much I wanted her, how sexy she was. I lowered her down and explored her again, parting her thighs and finally sinking between them, tasting her for the first time.
She arched as I closed my mouth around her, gasping when my tongue swirled and lapped. She wrapped her hands in my hair, pulling on the strands, as she whimpered and undulated under my mouth. I growled, her reactions as much of a turn-on as the act itself, and slipped in two fingers, massaging and stroking until she began to pant and cry out.
“Come for me, baby. Let yourself go…”
She stiffened, her muscles clamping down, and cried out my name. I gentled my mouth, riding out her orgasm, slowly trailing kisses over her skin as she calmed. Sitting back on my heels, I pulled her forward, my hands gripping her hips, brushing the heat of her with my aching cock.
“Now, Ally. I’m going to make you mine now.”
Brilliant, yearning blue met my intense, dark gaze. Desire raged in her eyes.
“Yes.”
I buried myself in her.
Hard.
Deep.
We both shouted.
I stilled, our gazes locked at the overwhelming intensity of the moment. “I told you I wasn’t going to treat you like glass.”
She whimpered, her hands grasping for me.
I withdrew and slammed back into her. She tightened her legs. I thrust again, and her eyes shut, her back arching. Her breasts jutted out, her nipples stiff and still red from my mouth. I groaned her name and surged forward, everything else around me ceasing to exist but how she felt. Her wet warmth gripped my cock as I thrust, fucking her—loving her—showing her how right we were together. I took her the way I told her I would—powerfully and completely, forever marking her as mine. The room spun, sweat dripped down my back as I hovered over her, my body telling her everything I hadn’t said with words. Her orgasm was beautiful to watch—the utter bliss on her face as she sobbed my name, her voice hoarse and needy. Her pussy contracted around my cock, her nails digging into my shoulders, as she shuddered and quaked around me.
I buried my face into her neck as my balls tightened with my pending orgasm. I gripped her hips as I continued to move, strong and fast, cursing as I exploded. I emptied myself inside her, ecstasy pounding through my body until I collapsed beside her, my breathing ragged. Unable to bear being separated from her, I wrapped her up in my arms, kissing and nuzzling her soft hair, whispering her name.
Gradually, we calmed. I never stopped caressing her—she never released the way she clutched me. When she shivered, I drew the blanket around us, pulling her close again. I felt her sink into me, her body relaxing into sleep.
“Mine,” I whispered, my breath blowing over her cooling skin.
“Yours,” she replied.
Nothing, and no one, was going to change that.
Ever.
We slept. Wrapped around each other, neither of us could let go. Even when I woke up, the afternoon sun high in the sky, my need for her building again, I refused to move or disturb her. Instead, I watched her sleep, felt her light breath on my skin and savored her closeness.
I couldn’t be without her anymore.
Slowly she woke, blinking, soft and sweet. Her gaze was shy, but filled with so much tenderness, I ducked my head and covered her mouth with mine, kissing her deeply. She wound her hands into my hair, pulling me close, and within seconds we were lost—the world outside disappearing.
There was only my Nightingale and me.
There wasn’t a breath of air between our bodies as our kisses became deeper. Longer. More. Hard, pumping heat rushed through me. Everything became magnified. The feel of her skin on mine as our chests slid together. The erotic noises she made as we moved. Her wetness that teased my aching cock.
I found her rapid pulse beating erratically at the base of her throat and I bit down, hissing in satisfaction at her low moan. Her fingers clawed at my back, pulling me closer. I slipped into her warmth and stilled at the powerful pleasure of being buried inside her. Our gazes locked and held, and an intense tenderness flooded my chest. I moved with long, deep thrusts that made her whimper and arch under me. I couldn’t pull my lips from hers, my tongue needing to be in her mouth. We shared oxygen, our united touch more important than air.
My orgasm rolled through my body, gathering strength and erupting fiercely. I held her close, rocking as she shuddered, my name a muffled sound between us.
Reluctantly we moved apart, separating back into two halves, both of us knowing we’d only ever be whole again with each other.
I tucked her into my side, breathing her in, every sense attuned to her. It was as if my entire world was contained in my arms.
It was too soon and too fast. I knew it. But I had seen how quick life changed, moved, and was gone. So I said it anyway.
“I love you, Ally.”
Her mouth pressed on my chest. “I love you, too, Adam.”
—
I woke, meeting Ally’s contented gaze.
She was sitting in the chair, holding a cup of coffee and watching me, with a grin. “You’re very sexy when you sleep.”
I stretched, letting the sheet fall, resting over my hips. “Is that so?”
“I love your tattoos.”
I glanced at the swirls of ink on my
arms. “I’m thinking of a new one.”
“Oh?”
I tapped my finger over my heart, knowing she’d understand. “I think I’ve found the perfect design.”
I’d wear her on my heart. I’d etch her into my skin, because she was already under it, living within me.
I sat up, swinging my legs over the mattress. They hit the floor with a dull thud, the sheet slipping lower. “What are you doing all the way over there?”
“I needed coffee.”
I eyed the cup in her hand. “You gonna share, Ally?”
In silent offering, she held the mug out, and I stood, the sheet slipping to the floor. I stretched, her eyes following every muscle as it bunched and moved, lingering on the heavy erection already growing as I looked at her. Her long red hair flowed around her bare shoulders, her blue eyes lit with desire as she watched me. The deep chocolate of the duvet set off her creamy skin. Skin I knew was smooth under my tongue and tasted sweet, like her. A tiny purple mark stood out on her shoulder from my teeth. I liked seeing it. I sat down on the ottoman, taking the cup and drinking deeply. The hot beverage was laced with her favorite flavor—cinnamon, and I liked it. With a grin, I drained the mug and placed it beside her.
“I said I’d share.”
“Yep.”
“You drank it all,” she pouted.
“I’ll get you more after.”
“After?”
She gasped as I reached under the duvet and grabbed her hips, pulling her out of the chair and flush to my chest. I wrapped the duvet around us and kissed her hard, my tongue seeking the warmth of her mouth. I lifted her, pushing the ottoman out of the way and lowering us to the floor, covering her with my body. She wrapped her legs around me. I groaned at the slickness of her.
“So ready for me, baby.”
“Adam—” She gasped as I surged into her, pleasure rippling through my body. We fit together perfectly—she was made only for me. And I was equally hers. Only hers.
“Told you,” I groaned, tugging on her ear lobe.
“Told me what?”
I smiled into her neck. “We’d end up on the floor.”
A short while later, we cuddled in the chair, wrapped in the duvet, and talked.
I told her stories from different places I’d been. Some of the things I’d seen—both beautiful and tragic. Some images I knew I’d never forget and would never share with her, while others I could speak of with fond memories. She listened raptly, her eyes focused on my face as I spoke. After a while, she asked more about me.
“How did you end up here?”
“I was here, meeting with Sean. I liked the city and I was looking for a home base. I came into a trust fund, from my parents, when I was twenty-one, and I had already been earning good money, so I decided it was time to buy something. I lived in a small place for a while, and when I found this building I bought it. It was a great investment.”
“Do you see yourself staying here?”
“As a home base? I think so.”
She was quiet for a minute, and when she spoke her voice was nervous. “But you still have the travel bug. The need to move—not stay in one place.”
I cupped her cheek, stroking the smooth skin with my thumb. “Until now, I had no reason to.”
“But now?”
“You’re my reason, Nightingale. You’re what I’ve been looking for. My anchor.”
“Adam—”
“I’m not giving up my career. You have to understand that. I love what I do.”
“It’s dangerous.”
“At times. But I’m careful and it’s not forever. One day, soon enough, I’ll stop doing it.”
“Can you?”
“Yes. When the time is right. There are other things I want to take pictures of—people and places. Beautiful parts of this world some people can only experience through photographs.” I drew in a breath. “Maybe, one day, you’d come with me while I visit those places?”
I wanted to show her the world—to give her everything she had never seen. I wanted her to be a part of my world.
“That would be amazing.”
I pulled her close, my mouth hovering over hers, wanting to say the words again. Needing to hear them.
“I love you,” I murmured against her softness.
“Oh, Adam,” she breathed. “So much. I love you so much.”
“We’ll figure out our life together.”
“I know.” She sighed. “But, for now, I have to go.”
I hated that we had to return to reality, but I knew she was right.
“I’ll drive you to work and pick you up in the morning.”
“I have to go back to my place.”
“I know.”
“I start my days off again after tonight.”
“Will you spend them here, with me? I want more time with you.” My need for her was overwhelming. I couldn’t explain it, but I felt it.
“I’d like that.”
I nuzzled her head. “So would I.”
Chapter 10
Having slept on and off most of the day, I was restless all night. I worked on some photos and sketched out some ideas for changing the layout of the loft, giving the sleep area some privacy with added walls. I wanted Ally to feel at home here. Then to pass the time, I worked on my expense report and sent it off to Sean. Barely five minutes passed when he replied.
What the hell are you doing sending me an expense report at 4 A.M.? Don’t you have pictures to take somewhere?
I grinned as I replied.
My boss is slacking, not sending me anywhere. Stuck with paperwork instead. Why are you up so early?
I read his reply and laughed.
Some idiot sent me a message and woke me up.
I knew he was lying, since he was in the office before five daily.
I’ll make it up with coffee this week.
Lunch and it’s a deal.
Done.
I signed off and went for a shower so I could be ready to drive Ally to her place.
We were quiet when I picked her up, and drove in the opposite direction of my loft. I pulled up in front of the small building where she lived, leaving the engine idling, at a loss for what to do next. She surprised me when she hesitantly asked if I would come upstairs with her. I shut off the car and went to her door, offering her my hand.
Inside, she punched in a code to open the security door. Then she quoted the code for me. “If you come over you don’t have to wait to be buzzed up. And there are visitor spots around back.”
I followed her to the elevator and wrapped my arm around her waist as we rode up. “Do a lot of people have your code?”
“No. Emma, Elena, and now you.”
“Not even your mother?”
She sighed. “I think they have the code, but they have never been here. If my mother wants to see me, I go to her. It’s easier that way. I can leave when I need to.”
I chuckled at her drollness. “Do I get to meet Emma?”
“Yes. Maybe I could set up lunch when she’s in town next time. She’s so busy, I hardly ever see her anymore. But you’ll like her—everyone likes Emma.”
“Sounds good.”
Inside, I looked around curiously. It was small, neat, and tidy. Everything was precise and in order. It didn’t feel like her. It felt empty. Like a stage.
She shrugged, knowing what I was thinking. “It’s not my place. It belongs to Ronald. I live here, but only until I don’t have to anymore. I’ll be finished paying of my debt to him soon and I’ll find a place I like to live.”
Wandering over to her desk, I picked up a frame and studied the pictures. Ally as a child, looking happy, held by a man with red hair and a friendly face.
“My dad,” she murmured sadly.
I picked up another picture: a teenage boy with his arm around her, laughing.
“Ollie?”
“Yes. That was about a week before he died. Elena took it while we were visiting her.”
&
nbsp; There were only two other photos. One was Ally and Ollie with Elena. She was an older woman: tall, regal looking, with brilliant white hair, sparkling golden-brown eyes, and she had her arms wrapped around them.
The other photo was set off to the side and I glanced at it, recognizing her mother and Ronald. It was obviously a staged photo, looking very proper, their expressions lacking in any real emotion.
I shook my head as I turned away from the desk. They were missing so much of life. Missing out on knowing a wonderful girl who, despite everything, still wanted to be loved by them.
She was watching me closely.
“Do you want to give me some things I can take home with me for this weekend?”
“That’s a good idea. I can take a cab to your place after the event.” She grinned up at me. “You don’t have to wait up—I have a key.”
I chuckled. As if I wouldn’t wait up for her. “Go get what you need. I’ll wait.”
She chatted as she got her things together, reappearing quickly.
I decided not to tell her I would be there tonight. She would worry about it all day. I glanced upward, listening to the renovation noise overhead. I wasn’t sure she’d get any sleep as it was, and I didn’t want to add to the problem.
I knew I couldn’t sit beside her, hold her hand, and show the world she was mine—yet. But I could be in the same room, and hopefully she would draw strength from my presence. I knew her first instinct would be to protect me, tell me to stay away, but I couldn’t.
So I remained quiet, took her small bag, kissed her deeply, and promised to see her later. We had plans for the entire weekend together.
I could only hope they would still be in place when she saw me and my donation piece tonight.
—
People were milling around everywhere. I tried not to fiddle with the collar of my shirt, failing miserably at times. The suit felt so constrictive, the tie heavy around my neck. I wasn’t used to dressing up, but I knew it was expected.
It was less decadent than the last dinner I attended—more about the cause it was for and not for show. Still elegant, but the flowers were simple, the settings held fewer glasses and cutlery. The room was brighter, and there were lots of pictures of the children from the ward and their stories. I made a mental note to ask Sean if there was favor he could call in from a friend, and have a story done about the work they did. I’d be happy to provide new images.
My Image of You Page 11
