“Let me finish.”
“Ok, I’m sorry.”
“Up until today, I would have had sex with you right here in the limo. But, I was watching you tonight. The way you interact with people. The way you talk. The way you carry yourself. You are graceful, intelligent…just amazing. And, I don’t know yet for sure, but maybe you are the ‘more’ that I am looking for. Maybe that thing that has always been missing is with you.”
She didn’t say anything. For a long time.
“Did I say too much?” He looked at her questioningly.
“No. You didn’t. I just don’t know…”
“Don’t know what?”
“Barend, I was in a long term relationship before I moved here. I loved him. He said he loved me. I believed every word he said to me and I thought he and I were perfect. Then, I caught him in bed with another woman.” She took a deep breath. “It makes me wonder if anyone ever tells the truth.”
There was that rumbling in Barend’s chest again. “How could someone have you and then throw it all away? What was he thinking?”
She didn’t say anything, but just looked down at her hand, still resting in his. Then, he placed his other hand under her chin and gently lifted it to look in her eyes.
“Amelia. I am telling you the truth. I don’t want to just bed you. Well, I want that too. But, I want a relationship with you. I want to see what could happen. Would you give me that opportunity?
Would you give me a chance to show I am not like your idiot ex? Like I said, I won’t lie. I have had quite a few women, but no matter what, I have never cheated on anyone. I never would. Give me a chance, please?”
She must have gotten a look in her eyes, but he kissed her. This time, it wasn’t as fevered as their first kiss. This time, it was slow, soft, and passionate. When she opened her mouth slightly and invited him in, his tongue massaged hers gently. All of the doubt and worry she had just seconds ago melted away as he wrapped an arm behind her back and pulled her closer to him.
Her whole body warmed and tingled. It made her bold enough to reach up and tangle her hand in his hair. Was she willing to give him a chance? It seemed like she would. Maybe he was telling her the whole truth. Maybe he wouldn’t hurt her like Lucas had. Maybe there could be ‘more’ between them.
Finally, he pulled away from her. They were both a little breathless and the look in his eyes was smoldering. But he didn’t touch her further. He didn’t take things further. Not until she gave him permission, it would seem. Instead, he ran the back of his fingers over her cheek very gently.
“You are absolutely gorgeous. Inside and out. When we get to your apartment, I want to come in. But I won’t insist. If you say you aren’t ready for that, then I understand. I will kiss you and go home.”
“I…I don’t know yet.”
“It’s ok. But, know if I did come in, it would be amazing.”
“I do know that” she whispered, trying furiously (and failing) not to blush.
“Oh you do?” He raised an eyebrow. And, it made her flush even more.
“I can imagine. I have a vivid imagination.”
“So do I, Amelia.” As he was speaking, the limo slowed and then stopped. They had arrived at her apartment. She had a decision to make and she wasn’t exactly sure she was ready to.
On one hand, he was so incredibly hot, and she wanted him so much. And she did finding herself liking him, which was pretty funny considering how much she thought she hated him. But, on the other hand, she still wasn’t completely sure she could trust him.
She hadn’t made a decision even up until he walked her to the door. Then, he kissed her again. He pulled her body against the length of his. He kept his hand in the small of her back and the stiffness of his erection strained against his pants. She could feel it. The heady moment got to her and she whispered in his ear “You can come in.”
Then, she turned and fumbled with her keys, trying to unlock the door when her mind was elsewhere. He made a small, discreet gesture and the limo drove away. Then, he waited patiently while she unlocked the door.
Chapter Five
She wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. She really wasn’t sure. The last man she slept with, she also fell in love with and then she had gotten her heart broken. Did she want to go down this road again?
She had never been a one-night stand kind of girl and she knew that deep down, she was developing feelings for Barend. She could tell herself over and over that it was just a fling and that she didn’t even like how he acted at work, but her heart knew better.
Was she going to get hurt again?
It was very hard to question that too much considering the way he was looking at her when they walked in the door of her apartment.
At first, they just stood there. She wasn’t sure what to do.
“So…” She was foundering for something to say.
“Amelia, I don’t have to stay if you are uncomfortable…”
“No, no. I want you here. I really want you here.” She smiled at him. She was trying to give him the green light, but she had been with Lucas for so long she wasn’t even sure how to do that.
But, he must have gotten the picture. Because he stepped forward, put his hand on her face and kissed her. He kissed her so passionately that they both stumbled; her back was suddenly against the wall. He took the opportunity to pin her between that wall and his body. His body heat engulfed her.
She could feel his muscles beneath his suit jacket, and suddenly, all she wanted was to feel his skin. Even while they continued kissing, she pushed his jacket off his shoulders and began working on the buttons of his shirt.
She managed about three of the buttons when he slid his hands down her back to her thighs and then lifted with strength, picking her up off the ground and wrapping her legs around his waist. He was strong. Oh god, was he strong, she thought as she pointed toward the door leading to the bedroom. He took his cue and began to move.
But, neither could stop kissing. He stopped at the door frame, pushing her back against the wood and moving his lips down to her neck, kissing her collarbone and gently nipping the skin. She threw her head back against the door frame, relishing the flood of warmth she felt through her body.
Finally, he made it to the bed and the two fell on it together. He stood up briefly to rip his shirt the rest of the way off. And she gasped. He was every bit as toned and muscled as she had imagined. The dark patch of hair across his chest only accentuated his muscles and she noted a patch of hair making its way downward to disappear beneath his pants.
She wanted to follow it down too and she sat up, playfully tugging at the hair before undoing his belt buckle. He growled deep in his chest and then pulled her to stand back up in front of him.
Reaching behind her, his fingers deftly unzipped her dress, which fell in a silken pool at her feet.
His fingers traced the lacy line of her bra.
“You took my advice.” He smirked.
“It wasn’t so much advice, as I recall. More of a demand.”
“For good reason, Amelia. You look breathtaking.” He bent his head and kissed the crook of her neck, making her gasp. He had found one of her most sensitive spots. But, he didn’t stop there. He trailed kisses down her collar bone, between the curves of her breasts and he knelt as he continued kissing down her stomach and further south to the apex between her legs.
His hands slid up her legs to cup her buttocks and pull her hips closer to him. Breathing deeply he whispered “Oh god Amelia, you smell so good. I want to have you now.”
“Now would be good” She ran her hands through his dark hair. And, as if those were magic words, he stood up, yanked her lacy panties down, unhooked her bra and not-so-gently pushed her down on the bed. Then he froze for a second, admiring her naked curves. Then, he pulled his own boxers down and her eyes widened as she saw just how much he wanted her.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
He climbed on top of her, supporting himself
on his elbows, he used his knee to push her legs apart.
“I have dreamed about this.” He whispered and she only had a second to digest that thought when he entered her. Pushing her head back into the bed, she cried out. Confusing her pleasure with pain, he stopped for a moment. “Is this ok? Am I hurting you?”
He was…the most well-endowed man she had ever been with. He filled her up. He stretched her beyond what she thought she could handle, but it wasn’t pain. It was pure physical bliss. “No, no. Please don’t stop” She begged with fervor. “Please” She whimpered again when he hesitated.
But, the second ‘please’ was all he needed to hear and he started moving. First, slowly, and then gaining speed. He moans came along with the tempo, and the pleasure increased to the point that she could only hold on, digging her fingernails into his back. She could feel the quickening deep within her most pleasurable core. It was building faster than any she had experienced before.
And, as if he sensed she was reaching that point, he kissed her just as she arched her black and her whole body exploded. She felt it from her curled toes to her fingers that she raked across his back. Her whole body arched with pleasure and she would have called out his name if his mouth hadn’t been on hers.
Just seconds later, he found his own release, throwing his head back as he spilled within the condom she didn’t even remember him putting on. “Impressive,” her mind somehow thought through the fog of pleasure and exhaustion.
Then, he collapsed beside her, breathing heavy, but smiling too. For several moments, the two just breathed. And, finally, he spoke.
“Are you ok?”
“I’m amazing.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Amelia I…” He trailed off.
She turned her head on the pillow to look in his eyes. “What is it?”
“Nothing, don’t worry about it.”
“Barend?” This time, she sounded worried.
“Really, it’s nothing.”
She sat up in bed, holding the covers close to her body, suddenly uncomfortable. He was hiding something from her. “Barend, what is it?”
“Just lay back down, Amelia. It’s nothing important.”
“Oh, god, you’re married, aren’t you?”
He couldn’t help but laugh. “No. Not at all.”
“You have a disease. Did you just give me a disease? Because that’s illegal.”
“No, sweetie, I tested clean a week ago. I get regular tests. Besides, I also used a condom.”
“Then, what is it?” Amelia was getting tense. After all the lies Lucas had told her, she already had trust issues and her mind was spinning. What was he not telling her? He sat up beside her, the sheet falling to his waist, showing her the clean lines of his muscles.
“I was going to ask you out again. That’s all.”
“Oh”, she visibly relaxed. “Why was that such a big deal?”
“Because, believe it or not, I have never asked a woman on a second date.”
“Oh.”
“Amelia, I have never been in a relationship. You already knew that sort of.”
“It’s ok. You have commitment issues. I get it.”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Then what is it?”
“I’ve never found a woman like you.”
She blushed under his intense gaze and she looked down at her fingers, her blond hair falling around her face.
“I’m serious Amelia. The first time I saw you, the only thing I wanted was to fuck you over my desk. That’s what I would have done normally. But, then I started to get to know you. You aren’t like other women. You are beautiful, intelligent, funny, quick witted.
No one has acted toward me like you do. Most women hang on me, just hoping to get at my money and saying yes to whatever I say. You challenge me Amelia. And I love it.”
This time, she looked up and smiled. “Well, you need to be challenged. Too many people just do whatever you say ‘yes Mr. Kensington. Whatever you want Mr. Kensington.’” She mimicked a robot voice.
He raised an eyebrow. “So you are telling me everyone else is a robot?”
“Something like that.”
“And you would tell me no?”
“If I wanted to.”
“Do you want to right now?”
“Maybe” She smirked. She was playing with him. He spent so much of his life being serious, he deserved some silly fun, she decided.
“Oh really? Even if I do this?” He leaned forward and kissed her.
“Even if you do that.”
“What about this?” He kissed her on the neck. And, she felt her body responding.
“Yep, even then. Maybe I will say no.”
“I don’t think you will.” He murmured between light, butterfly kisses along her collarbone. Then, he reached for the edge of the sheet she was still holding and he tugged downward.
“You’re right.” She whispered, and let go of the sheet.
Half an hour later, they lay, both exhausted, tangled up in sheets. This time was sweeter, more romantic, and slower. Now, she was wrapped in his arms and no part of her wanted to move. She could stay right where she was for days, she thought.
---
It was exactly what Barend had imagined…no it was more. More than he had dreamed. It was…exquisite. He could have laid there with his arms wrapped around her, protecting her from the world forever. But, his mind was troubled at the same time.
He almost told her his secret. He almost revealed the animal side to her. He only stopped himself when he realized just how much he didn’t want to lose her. If she found out, would she run away? He couldn’t bear it. Everything he said to her about how different she was, he meant. And, he did want a relationship with her. He didn’t know what he would do if she ran away. She broke his train of thought with a completely unexpected question.
“How many women have you had?”
“What?”
“How many?”
“Amelia, it doesn’t matter, ok?”
“It does to me.”
“Why?”
“I’m curious.”
He heaved a big sigh. “You know I have gone out with a lot of women. They were all just one night things.”
“Ok.”
She wasn’t going to let this go. “Truthfully I don’t know.” He could have sat there and counted if he really wanted to, but he didn’t. What if she ran away over this? Oh god, his mind was spinning.
“Ballpark figure?”
“Amelia.”
“I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”
“I’m afraid you will leave.”
“I won’t leave. I already knew about your past when I went out with you tonight.”
“Ok….30s. Somewhere in the 30s.”
“Ok.”
“We had an agreement.”
“What?”
“What about for you, Amelia? You agreed.”
“Three.” She whispered.
“Really? Only three? How is that possible?” He was genuinely puzzled. This beautiful, amazing woman. And she had only been with three?
“Well, I had a high school boyfriend. He was my first. Then, I was with Lucas for two years. Now there’s you.”
“No one nighters? Nothing?”
“No. I’m younger than you Barend. I’m only 23.”
“I know. I’m just a little shocked!”
“Why? Because I’m picky?”
“Well, no. Because you are so beautiful.” He was sure she was blushing again.
“I’ve had other opportunities. I just didn’t take them.”
“Well, I’m honored.”
“Why?”
“That you chose me as your third. It’s actually an honor. Once again, you prove you aren’t like any other woman I have met.”
He hugged her closer and smiled, but still, in the back of his mind was the small voice telling him his secret could ruin it all. He couldn’t tell her
now. Not like this. Not when she didn’t know him well enough yet. No, he would have to wait until they got closer.
Maybe, just maybe if she was falling in love with him one day, then she would be able to overlook it. This is exactly why he didn’t like relationships, he told himself. It was better to stay at arm’s length and never get close to someone. What was he doing now? Why did this girl get him to let her in? He tried to put everything out of his mind and just enjoy her presence, but it was all still there and nagging at him, making it impossible to relax.
He was going to have to tell her about the beast, but not tonight. No, not tonight at all.
Instead, he started kissing her neck, gently and sweetly.
“Another round already?” She giggled.
“I can never get enough of you.” He growled and nipped her shoulder.
And, that’s how the rest of the night went. Passionate lovemaking and then frantic, “I have to have you now” sex and then periods of just being close to each other. By the morning, she was exhausted. He was still riled up, so instead of lying in bed wide awake, he decided to surprise her with breakfast.
He left a note on the pillow beside her and then stepped out the door. Well, this was new too, he mused. He was actually going out to buy breakfast on his own instead of having someone run the errand for him. Of course, a lot of new things had happened in the last 24 hours, and he started ticking them off like a checklist in his mind:
One: He actually had feelings for a girl. She was more than just a roll in the hay.
Two: He actually took a girl to an event knowing he had feelings for her instead of just opting for arm candy.
Three: He bought a girl a gift. Four: He made love. Yes, that was a first for him. Five: She was still in his bed the next morning. Six: He was out getting her breakfast.
What was happening to him? This was all so new, he wasn’t even sure how to respond. But, despite stepping out of his comfort zone, he realized it felt really, really good. Yes, he would be inviting her to his mansion soon.
Chapter Six
She got to work early, which was a surprise considering how much time she spent getting ready that morning. She was so nervous. As a result, she spent an hour doing her hair and makeup and then went through half her closet before deciding on an outfit. It had been two days since she and Barend spent the night together – the whole weekend.
Romance: Loving The BillionBear: BBW Bear Shifter Romance Standalone (Spicy Shifters Book 3) Page 4
