Hold Me Until Forever

by Christina Phillips

  “You and me both.”

  “Because, you know, I’d have to kiss it better.”

  He swallowed a groan and couldn’t take his gaze from her as she finally tossed his briefs aside. The look of triumph on her face more than made up for the way she’d nearly castrated him.

  He traced his finger over her lips. “Anyone tell you that you talk too damn much?”

  She opened her mouth and sucked his finger inside. Babe, you’re going to be sucking on more than my finger. Even the thought of it made his balls ache. At least they’re still in working order.

  For a few seconds she swirled her tongue around him, and then she pulled back. “Am I not supposed to talk in here?”

  The women he screwed tended not to talk that much while they were in a scene. Out of it, sure they did. He wasn’t into empty headed chicks who couldn’t handle a regular conversation.

  Then again, he’d never brought another woman in here.

  “Forget about talking. You can touch me now.”

  She flattened her palms against his thighs. “Anywhere I like?” She sounded uncertain now. He’d make it easy for her.

  “Use your mouth.”

  She swallowed and shuffled forward on her knees. He screwed his eyes shut for a couple of seconds, but it didn’t help. Seeing her on her knees, with her mouth so close to his cock that he could feel her hot breath, pushed him right to the edge.

  Her lips pressed against him. He braced his muscles and clenched his fists, before he lost it and grabbed her head. The tip of her tongue tasted his length and he gripped her hair before he could stop himself.

  “Feels so good.” His voice shook. Hell, that’d never happened before. He couldn’t tear his gaze from her. “You look so hot, Ella.”

  She smiled and trailed the tips of her fingers over his balls. If she does that again I’m going to come. He fucking wouldn’t come. Not until he was ready. But Christ, this was killing him.

  When she took him into her mouth the whole damn world tipped sideways. Wet and warm, and the way her lips hugged his dick made his brain short circuit.

  I’m not going to last. He fought the inevitable for a few crazy seconds, but her mouth and tongue unraveled him. His heart thundered and all he could see was Ella at his feet.

  He pulled her head back. She tipped her face up, lips parted, panting with need. “Turn round.” He didn’t recognize his voice. “On your hands and knees.”

  She didn’t even breathe a protest before she did as he told her. He grabbed a condom and rolled it on, without taking his hypnotized gaze from the gorgeous woman waiting for him.

  With a groan he sank to his knees behind her. She arched her back, raising her perfect ass for him. Everything urged him to take her, right now, but damn his urges. He wrapped himself around her and cradled her breasts, loving her gasps of pleasure as she writhed beneath him.

  Teeth gritted, he caressed her body and dipped between her thighs until her whimpers turned into sobs. “Please, Alex.”

  Best words he’d ever heard.

  He pushed into her, and her sweet heat sucked him deep inside. Feels so good. She bucked against him and he gripped her hips, holding her still. Not yet.

  Her head fell forward and her body shook as he took her with long, measured strokes. Slow down. It was hard to focus when her naked back tempted him and her ass cheeks were his for the taking. He palmed her butt and her strangled groan was too much.

  “Come for me.” It was a hoarse demand and he slid his finger over her swollen clit. He managed to hang on for a few frenzied seconds as she fell apart around him, before his climax shattered through him.

  For a few heart pounding moments he rested his forehead against her damp back. Her body quivered with every jagged breath, and he wrapped one arm around her, holding her close.

  It was an effort to pull away. She collapsed onto the floor, cushioning her head on her folded arms while he cleaned up. “Can I take this off now?” She waved a finger in the air, vaguely in the direction of the blindfold.

  She looked so beautiful, curled up wearing nothing but that blindfold. He imagined her hands tied behind her back and swallowed a groan. Not tonight.

  “I’ll do it.” He pulled a blanket from the bed and draped it over her before he crouched down and tugged the blindfold free. She blinked up at him, looking all sleepy-eyed and so gorgeous he wanted her all over again.

  “I wasn’t sure about that at first.” She sounded satisfyingly exhausted. “But it was okay.”

  He laughed at that and sat beside her. “Just okay? Good thing my ego isn’t easily crushed.”

  Her smile was pure evil. “Good thing your balls aren’t, either.”

  The memory made him wince. “That wasn’t funny.”

  “I guess not.” Her muffled snort of laughter belied her words. “Does that kind of thing happen often?”

  “It never happens.” He suppressed a shudder and cradled his junk in a protective gesture. “Reckon you’re a sadist on the quiet.”

  “I’d never want to hurt you.” She appeared fascinated by what his hand was doing between his legs. “You don’t get off on that kind of thing, then?”

  “Didn’t stop me tonight.” He hid his grin as she raised her head to get a better look. “But can’t say I’m into masochism as a rule.”

  She settled back onto her arm and gazed up at him. “Have you always been into this…scene?”

  It wasn’t cold, but he shifted closer to her so he could share the blanket. She snuggled against him like she had before, and he pulled her across his chest so she wasn’t lying on the hard floor.

  “For as long as I can remember.” He didn’t usually talk about his preferences with women he’d just had sex with. Kind of redundant, really. But this was Ella.

  Everything was different with her.

  “Really?” She sounded fascinated. “So you never just do—you know—regular sex?”

  He played with her hair and grinned at the expression on her face. “This is regular sex, babe. Didn’t you like it?”

  “Well.” She appeared to consider his question. Her fingers stroked his chest. It was…good. “I’ve never come like that before. Like, every time. That’s kind of amazing.”

  He laughed and tightened his grip around her. “Did you just give me a compliment? After telling me what we did was just okay?”

  “The blindfold freaked the shit out of me,” she said, and a strange warmth seeped through his chest. “But it was okay once you started. That’s what I mean. And you know that’s what I meant.”

  He did, but it was something else hearing her tell him. “It’s good to push your boundaries.”

  “Hmm.” She trailed her finger over his jaw. “Does that work both ways?”

  “Sure.” Should’ve moved onto the bed. The floor was damn uncomfortable. But it was worth it, with Ella’s soft curves on top of him. “I’m going to push all your boundaries. Trust me.”

  “Yeah, but what about yours? Don’t I get to push you to your limits, too?”

  I’m pushing every boundary I ever had being here with you. Like he was going to tell her that. “That’s not the way it works.”

  Her finger paused on his cheek. “Don’t you trust me, then?”

  He cradled her butt. “In here you’re my sub. It’s up to me to look after you.”

  “I don’t think that’s what I mean.” Her frown was adorable. How the hell can a frown be adorable? “Don’t you ever get caught up in the heat of the moment and just go for it?”

  “No.” He stroked her ass and she shifted, her nipples teasing his chest. “Never.”

  “Not ever?”

  For one crimson-soaked second the image of his father flashed across his mind. Don’t think about it. He forced the memory back in its bloodied cage.

  “That’s not who I am.” Any more. “I like being in control.”

  “I don’t have a problem with that. I just wondered if you ever do spontaneous sex or whether it’s always
kind of… planned out.”

  “Spontaneous sex is overrated.”

  She traced the outline of his ear. He didn’t usually like women doing things like that, but it was oddly okay this time.

  “I guess that’s true,” she conceded. “I mean, it sounds great in theory but in practice it’s hit and miss.”

  “I’ve always said you dated losers.” Because he’d told himself she should’ve been dating Coop.

  That’s not the reason you didn’t like any of her boyfriends.

  Her smile turned wicked. “I’m going to have very high standards from now on, that’s for sure.”

  “Yeah?” Felt good to know he was the one who’d raised her standards. Don’t think about her moving onto anyone else. “You’re not nearly as vanilla as you think.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you very much.”

  “You should.” He lifted his head and kissed her, just because he could. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

  “I don’t know. I guess it’s because I used to think subs must be…” She frowned again. Has she always been this cute when she frowns? “Downtrodden,” she said finally.

  He grunted. “You look real downtrodden, babe.”

  She laughed and wriggled against him. Best form of torture ever. “Hey, you taking me to Paris’ birthday party?”

  Now he was the one frowning. “I always take you to family things. Why’d you ask?”

  “No reason.” She shrugged. “Just wondered.”

  “Do me a favor. Stick my name on whatever you get them. I’ll transfer the money.” What the hell did you get a girl who had everything? And on top of that, his brother and Paris had decided to combine her birthday with their engagement party. They were holding it in a couple of weeks’ time, after they got back from a weekend in France.

  “Sure. No problem.”

  He didn’t want to move. Definitely didn’t want to leave Excalibur. But even the partners had to live by the rules, and his two hours in here were almost up.

  “You doing anything Friday night?”

  “I might be.” She stroked his head. “What you got in mind?”

  She didn’t want to know what he had in mind. On second thought, maybe she did. Only two more nights. “Wait and see.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Two weeks later

  Although she’d never admit it, Ella had been dying to see Paris’ Beverly Hills mansion ever since she and Cooper had first started dating. Their engagement party was tonight, and earlier today Alex had driven her and his gran there.

  The massive gated entrance led to a private driveway, and the mansion looked like something straight out of her favorite gossip magazines. Its facade was all white and cream, and three balconies with elegant ironwork railings graced the second floor. Cooper had given them a tour. Nothing as normal as a backyard for a Hollywood star. The swimming pool was bigger than her entire apartment.

  The party had started a couple of hours ago. It was a red carpet event. She gave Alex a sideways look. “I’m so not dressed for this.”

  “Sure you are.” For a second he looked as though he was about to sling his arm around her shoulders. Or was that all in her mind? “You always look great. No one here comes close to you.”

  “You obviously need your eyes tested.” She couldn’t stop her thrilled smile, though. The short green dress with a super tight bodice had cost a ridiculous amount, but at least it made her boobs look good. “By the way, have you seen who your gran’s cornered? The big muscly guy from the new Destroyer movie. He looks terrified.”

  Alex’s smile melted her insides. He said the best things to her, but not once when they were outside of his precious club did he ever make a move to actually touch her. So just take his hand. What would he do, push her away? Of course he won’t…

  Before she managed to screw up her nerve, Jackson sauntered over. He and Scarlett had returned from their honeymoon a couple of days ago. “Thought Coop said this was going to be a small party. What the fuck do they call a big one?”

  “That’s because Paris’ mom took over,” she said, once again glancing around at what Paris had called a living room but looked more like a reception area in a five-star hotel, with its soaring ceiling and sleek floor of white oak and mahogany. “Well, they let her get on with it, since it stopped her from banging on about how Paris was too young to be getting engaged. Now that’s a mother-in-law from hell.”

  “Cooper can handle her,” Alex said.

  Scarlett joined them, and Jackson tugged her close. Ella folded her arms and refused to look at Alex. Would it really kill him if his brothers knew we were seeing each other?

  Except they were only seeing each other like that inside Excalibur. It had been three weeks. She thought he would’ve come around to the idea of them being together by now. Obviously not.

  “Has Jackson told you the news?” Scarlett tore her besotted gaze from her husband.

  “Not yet.” Jackson’s smile caused an odd little pain deep in her chest. She’d never seen that look on his face before. Will Alex ever look at me like that?

  “What news?” She pasted on her fake smile. Never had to fake it with J before.

  “They’ve thrown out the proposal to redevelop Heyward Street.”

  Her fake smile turned real. Jackson’s dojo in Heyward Street had been under threat of demolition, and he’d been fighting faceless bureaucrats for the last year. “That’s really great. Took those assholes long enough to come to the right decision.”

  “Scarlett’s got some ideas on how to raise funds so we can expand and take in more kids.”

  “Sounds good,” Alex said. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

  As Jackson and Scarlett discussed their plans, it was hard to keep her focus on them. Alex sounded fine. Said all the right things. But there was still an edge of tension radiating from him.

  Sure, she’d always known he kept a part of himself back. But she’d never really noticed it before when it came to being with his brothers. He probably didn’t even realize. Would she if they’d never had sex and she hadn’t seen how relaxed and laid back he could be?

  Cooper appeared by her side. “Having fun?” He grinned and nudged her. “Want me to introduce you to your latest hot crush?”

  She smiled sweetly. “No need. I think your gran’s already laid claim to him.”

  “Think I should go rescue him?”

  “No.” Was it her imagination or did Alex move closer to her? “You’ll never hear the last of it. Gran’s got a list of celebrities she wants to get through tonight.”

  “Yeah, don’t want her to tear me a new one at my own engagement party.” Cooper winked at her. He was so happy. It was kind of shocking to see such a difference in both Cooper and Jackson since they’d been in committed relationships. “Nearly forgot. Dale’s looking for you, Alex.”

  Alex didn’t look especially thrilled when Cooper told him where Dale was. Or is that all in my mind as well? After he left, J and Scarlett wandered off, and Cooper backed her up against a marble pillar.

  “What’s going on between you and Alex?” He was no longer grinning.

  “Huh?’ She unfolded her arms and then didn’t know what to do with her hands. “What do you mean?” Shit, I haven’t been drooling over him in public, have I?

  “He can’t take his eyes off you. Hasn’t left your side since you arrived. Is he giving you a hard time about handing in your notice?”

  She sagged in relief. Thank God for the pillar at her back. And then his words fully penetrated. He can’t take his eyes off you.

  “No, of course he’s not giving me a hard time. He’s fine about me leaving.” Can he really not take his eyes off me?

  “You sure? Even Paris noticed.”

  Her happy thoughts fried. “Paris noticed what?”

  “I don’t know.” He stared at her as though she’d just said something crazy. “Something. Can’t explain it. I thought he was pissed you were leaving.
Paris told me to make sure you’re okay.”

  “Paris told you to come over and talk to me?” Since when did Cooper need anyone to tell him to come talk to her? And what the hell did Paris notice?

  “Yeah.” He obviously didn’t see anything wrong with it. She tried not to scowl. Things sure have changed… “Anyway so long as everything’s fine. Still okay for the big move next weekend?”

  “Sure.” Luckily he didn’t seem to notice the edge in her voice. The only silver lining about moving back with her mom was that her mother hadn’t kicked up a stink at the thought of sharing her home with cats. True, she hadn’t exactly been full of glee, but she’d take it. “Dale okay about you taking the time off?”

  “Yeah, no problem. He’s been great.”

  Alex found Dale out by the side of the pool, entertaining a couple of girls who looked younger than Paris. “What’s up?”

  Dale looked at him as though he had no idea what he was talking about. “Alex.” He tugged the two girls closer, who both giggled on cue. He stifled a sigh. Giggly girls had never done much for him ten years ago and he definitely wasn’t interested now.

  Not when I’ve got Ella.

  “Coop said you wanted to see me.”

  Dale gave him a blank look. What was his brother up to? He only just stopped himself from looking over his shoulder. Wouldn’t make any difference. He wouldn’t be able to see either Cooper or Ella from here.

  “Right.” Dale recovered himself. “Ladies, meet my oldest mate, Alex. Alex, this is Revel and Lucinda. They’re in Paris’ new, uh, YouTube thing.”

  “Perfume ad,” gasped Lucinda, slapping Dale’s arm. She fluttered her eyelashes at Alex. “Hi, Alex.”

  “Hi.” Was Cooper trying to set him up with a date for the night? Considering neither of his brothers had ever tried to pull that one on him before, he doubted it. But why else had Coop sent him out here, when Dale obviously hadn’t been looking for him?

  “Alex,” Dale said, “is a man of few words.”

  He smiled and managed not to recoil when Revel wound herself around his arm. “Do you work with Dale?” She squeezed his bicep and left her hand there. “I love a guy with muscles.”