Yes, You Can Keep Me (An Alpha Male Romance)

by Lacy Lane

  "Ella, look at me." He waited for her to open her eyes. "Are you okay? I won't move until you're comfortable."

  She blinked, exhaled, and released her grasp on him. A sigh escaped her lips when he slid his hand out from under her and caressed her body again, encouraging her to relax. His soft kisses helped, distracting her from the pressure of him filling her.

  It took a few minutes, but her body took on a life of its own. Her hips pushed up to him, her other leg now sliding up to a bent position, providing a better angle for him, her knees hugging his hips.

  Luke slowly pulled back, drawing a sweet moan from her lips. He pushed forward again, and then pulled back a little more. He repeated the process until he was slowly stroking all of the way out…Until just the head of his cock was inside and then sliding all of the way back in, pressing against her inner walls and earning a groan of delight from her.

  Ella couldn't believe all of the sensations running through her body. Never had she felt so alive. Everything he touched seemed to shoot sparks straight to where their bodies were joined. Her breasts ached, smashed between their bodies. In no time, he was stroking faster, her heartbeat thumping in her head as she panted to keep up with him.

  He mumbled encouragement, his face buried in her hair, his tongue and teeth deliciously assaulting her neck as his hands held her head tilted to the side. His breathing matched hers, his body covered in a layer of sweat, sliding against hers.

  She wasn't sure how it would end. Usually, she could feel the rise, the peak, and then she'd shake a little as she went over, writhing on the bed. Afterward, she'd curl up on her side as she came down from the high, sometimes falling asleep, content. But that was when she was by herself.

  Nothing had prepared her for the explosion that culminated after the intense pressure inside. Luke was thrusting steadily, his voice raspy against her ear as he told her how he loved the way her body molded to his. Suddenly, she felt him grow bigger, if that was possible. Her legs clamped around his waist and she screamed, pressing up against him at the same time that he drove deeper into her and stilled.

  Heat filled her. She shook, as expected, but she didn't stop. Waves rolled over her, numbing her senses. Her grip loosened on him, and all she could do was lay there.

  She whimpered as he wrapped his arms around her and rolled onto his side, pulling her with him. His cock slipped out of her and lay across her thigh as he pulled a blanket over them. She reached for him blindly, moaning.

  "Shhhh, Ella. It's okay. You're safe with me."

  His voice was so comforting, his body so warm and firm, and she was so exhausted despite having just woken up less than an hour ago. She nuzzled her head against his chest and breathed in the woodsy scent of him mixed with soap and sweat and sex. She drifted off to the sound of the fire crackling behind her while his fingers stroked the small of her back.

  *******

  When Ella woke again, the fire was out, casting the room into shadows with the tree providing the only light. She blinked, her eyes adjusting and slowly placing the shapes of furniture. She could hear the wind howling outside...and the steady breathing of another human. Her fingers brushed against a hard body as she rolled onto her back to sit up, and the desire to draw closer filled her.

  She considered just snuggling back under the piles of blankets next to Luke—especially since she was naked and a chill brushed her shoulders when the blankets shifted—but nature called. Her nipples tightened to an aching point as she crawled to her feet, careful not to wake him. She found his flannel shirt again and pulled it on, wrapping her arms around herself as she hurried to the bathroom, her bare feet slapping against the cold, wood floor once she stepped off the rug.

  Feeling guilty but hoping he'd forgive her, she rummaged through the bathroom drawers and cabinets until she found a comb to tame her hair. His fingers had tangled it all up, but she smiled, longing for the next time he'd do it again. Unfortunately, she couldn't brush her teeth, but that hadn't stopped him from kissing her earlier. Still, she made use of a bottle of mouthwash and felt a little better.

  She was racing back to their makeshift bed when she skidded to a stop against the back of the couch. A fire was blazing in the hearth again, and a naked man sat on the floor in front of it, surrounded by the blankets and pillows. She had to bite her lip to squelch the moan of desire trying to escape.

  "Did you sleep well?" Luke's hair hung in his eyes. When he brushed it back off his face, her knees weakened and her heart thumped louder. She managed a nod. His gaze dropped to take in her half-covered curves, and then slowly slid up to meet hers again. "You look good in that shirt."

  Ella blushed, feeling her nipples harden for a different reason now. "Thank you."

  "Are you hungry?"

  "In what sense?" She slapped a hand over her mouth as soon as she'd spoken the words.

  "My, aren't we a little frisky?" He winked at her as he stood. She realized he had pulled his jeans back on, but she wasn't sure if she was disappointed or not. "I was thinking more along the lines of bacon and eggs. Scrambled okay with you?"

  She nodded and followed him into the kitchen where he set to making breakfast. Just watching him move about with such fluidity made her think of how he'd made love to her at dawn.

  "I really am sorry about ruining your weekend. I'm sure you had plans for Christmas Eve tomorrow."

  He shrugged. "I live alone. I have no family close enough to visit. It's a lonely life sometimes."

  "I still feel bad."

  "Don't." He smiled at her over his shoulder. "I'm just glad I was there to rescue you."

  She blushed, once again thinking of how it could have ended up if he hadn't spotted her car. "Yeah. Thanks. Anything I can do to help you with breakfast?"

  "Your clothes are mostly dry, but not exactly the best attire for keeping warm or sitting around here. There are socks in the top drawer of the dresser. And you should find a pair of sweatpants in there, too." He gestured to the bedroom with the spatula. "Then you can help me by setting the table. Dishes and silverware are in the cupboard and drawer by the sink."

  "Thanks." They both stared at each other for a moment, the sound of bacon sizzling in the background. Her lust reflected in his eyes, and she forced herself to swallow and look away. "I'll get those socks."

  The sweatpants she found were obviously too big, but she wasn't going to complain. With the legs rolled up, she could still move around, and she wasn't freezing anymore. She wondered if Luke remembered that she didn't have her underwear. Not that the black lace panties she usually wore would have provided much protection from her arousal if he continued to seduce her like he had been.

  A small shiver raced up her back at the thought. She shook it away and chose a pair of thick, woolen socks. Back in the kitchen, she expressed her gratitude for the donated clothes while she found the dishes and set two places at the rustic log table.

  Her stomach rumbled at the smell of the greasy food, but it settled as she devoured the pile of eggs on her plate and took two more pieces of bacon. Neither of them spoke while they ate, but their eyes flitted back and forth from their food, to each other, away, and back again. Although she was full when she set her fork down, her stomach still didn't feel completely settled.

  Not when all she could think about was how last night had ended. And how the morning had started...

  "Hand me your plate, Ella." Luke's tone of voice indicated that it wasn't the first time he'd made the comment, but the twinkle in his eyes showed he wasn't irritated.

  "Oh, sorry." She shook her head and gave him the dish with the silverware stacked on top. Their hands brushed each other. Electricity seemed to spark and flow between them, and they both jerked away. Thankfully, he had a good grip and didn't drop anything, but she heard his own labored breathing and imagined that his wide-eyed look reflected her own face.

  He cleared his throat and turned back to the sink. "So, tell me a little about yourself."

  How much did she reveal to th
is stranger? This fantastically-good-in-bed stranger who made her temperature rise and heartbeat race just thinking about him? He'd pulled his sweater back on before breakfast, and now she frowned, preferring his bare skin. How the muscles rippled under her fingers as he was—

  "Ella?"

  "I'm sorry. My mind wandered." She ignored his chuckle and his 'I wonder where' comment under his breath. "I live in Monroe, but I work in Franklin as a legal assistant at Walker Law Firm."

  Luke pushed up the sleeves of his sweater and scrubbed at the frying pan.

  She resisted a moan at the sight of his thick, sun-darkened forearms. Arms that had wrapped around her, held her so tight. So strong. So safe. What she wouldn't give—

  "Hello?"

  "What?" Guilt stung inside. That he'd caught her not listening again. That she had allowed herself to fall for someone so quickly. That she didn't feel one iota of that same emotion for having slept with the guy.

  "How long have you been there?"

  "Six years."

  "Do you like it?"

  Her gaze automatically dropped, feeling the guilt drive deeper. As if she were admitting how long she'd been an addict in some private meeting of peers. She pulled her legs up to her chest, rested her heels on the edge of the chair, and propped her chin on her knees. Her eyes rose, now meeting his face...and his scowl. "My boss is a sexist pig. It's gotten worse in the past two years."

  He just crossed his arms and leaned back against the counter. His dark gaze locked on hers.

  "Just say it. I've seen that look before. You're wondering why I would subject myself to being treated like that at work."

  "I wasn't thinking that, because you haven't really described your work environment. I wasn't going to assume anything. But since you brought it up, I’ll say my piece. You, of all people, should know sexual harassment in a workplace is illegal."

  She shrugged and stood up, shuffling her feet on the way to the couch. "I just wouldn't know where else to go. It's all I've known since I graduated college."

  "There are a lot of other things to do, especially with a degree." He followed her and sat at the other end of the couch. "Give me your feet."

  She stared at him for a moment and then complied. He rested her feet in his lap and massaged them through the thick socks. A soft moan slipped out as she bit her lower lip and sunk deeper into the cushions. The guy was getting under her skin, and she wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

  "I think of leaving at least once a week, but reality always snaps me back. That job pays the bills. Besides, my boss usually stays in his office. He only really harasses me on the phone, which is tolerable. I have never seen the inside of a courtroom, despite my title. On the plus side, I've put a healthy nest egg aside. I just need a little more and then I can quit."

  "That's what they all say." Luke snorted and slid the socks off, his cool hands making her shiver.

  She bit back a cry at the sharp pain when he pressed his thumbs into her arches. "I was supposed to be off today. Or yesterday. I knew it was too good to be true when he'd agreed to it. For as big as his ego is, he's completely lost without me. But at least I can count on the hefty year-end bonus that compensates me for any actual vacation days."

  "Jerk."

  "Not so hard!" she gasped, tugging her foot out of his grasp.

  His eyes snapped up to hers and he stopped. "Sorry! I'm just a little...distracted."

  When she laid her foot back down and he pressed it into his lap, she realized what he meant and gulped. "Um...anyway, I was finally heading home when I had the accident. I was looking forward to having the holiday off."

  "So are you alone?"

  She blinked, shook her head, and then nodded. "I mean, I haven't had a roommate since college. And with my unpredictable schedule, a pet can't depend on me being around to take care of it."

  "I meant a boyfriend." The corner of his mouth twitched, and his eyes darted down to her hands in her lap and then back up to hers eyes. "Someone who might be concerned about you? Someone you were planning to spend Christmas with? Family?"

  Heat rushed to her face, and she felt her heartbeat increase. "Uh, no. No one. Both of my parents are dead, and I'm an only child. No other family in the state. I guess I have the same lonely life as you."

  "What a shame." His hair swished back and forth, glowing from the firelight as he shook his head.

  She wanted so badly to bury her fingers in his locks, to have him hold her against him, to—

  "Are you still hungry?"

  "I think I'm good for now. The eggs were wonderful. Thank you."

  One eyebrow went up, and he pressed her foot into his lap again. "Are you sure?"

  She couldn't stop her body from shuddering. How stupid could she be? Seeing that his eyes had dropped again, and the way he was licking his lips. Apparently, whatever was wrong with her ability to think and act rationally, it was contagious.

  "Come here." His voice was both a whisper and a command as he stood and held her gaze.

  She rose and drew closer on shaky legs, her breath catching at the thought of what might transpire. The idea flickered in her head that if she hadn't been rudely called to work yesterday morning, she wouldn't be here right now. Wouldn't be walking into the delicious trap of a gorgeous man, snowed in for Christmas and only God knew how long.

  Luke's hand tightened around hers, and then he yanked her close, wrapping his arm around her back, forcing her own arm to bend and wrap with his. Although painless, the motion pinned her up against his body, and a gasp escaped between her lips. He actually growled at her, low and seductive, before his mouth locked onto hers.

  Ella pressed her breasts harder against him, her eyes drifting closed. The man was an addiction. She couldn't get enough of him, and she forced herself not to think about what would happen when the snow was cleared.

  Stay in the here and now. Enjoy it while it lasts.

  "We don't really have a choice," Luke said as he pulled away, "but I'd be happy to spend Christmas with you, Ella. I can thaw that turkey, and we can have ourselves our own little celebration."

  "Uh huh. Sounds great." She shivered as his fingers slid over the borrowed shirt, lightly grazing up her side to her breast. She wanted to collapse on the blankets and let him have his way with her again like the first time. To feel his mouth on her...his tongue...his fingers.

  As if reading part of her thoughts, his mouth covered hers again. His hand traced the edge of her breast, down the curve of her waist, around to squeeze her ass, and then it slipped between their bodies. She shifted her weight so she could spread her legs, giving him more access. His fingers pressed up, rubbing the material of the sweatpants against her raw flesh. Her muffled whimper changed to a moan when he pressed harder.

  He broke the kiss again and stared at her, his whole body shaking as he gasped for breath. Her tongue swept over his lips, tasting him. He suddenly released his hold on her.

  "Luke?" She had to grab the back of couch for support to keep herself from falling.

  There was no response, but he retrieved one of the ladder-back kitchen chairs, positioned it in front of the fire, and threw a blanket over it. When he stripped, her knees buckled on seeing the size of his erect cock, knowing that had been inside her...giving her so much pleasure.

  "Take off your pants and socks. Leave the shirt on." When she hesitated, he repeated himself. He sat down on the chair and held out his hand. "Come here."

  "What are you—"

  She grunted when he tugged her towards him to straddle his legs. He guided his cock below her and pushed on her hips until she sank down. It was easier this time, but the fit was still tight. She whimpered when he moved her around on his lap, trying to balance her, stretching her wider and sliding deeper into her in the process. He silenced her, their mouths melding, tongues teasing while his hands slid first over and then under the shirt, fondling her sides, her breasts, her back.

  His hands crept up to stroke her neck before fisting in her h
air. She wasn't going to argue, the first stages of numbness relaxing her as his fingers massaged her scalp, brushed through her locks, tilted her head this way and that as he tried to kiss her from all angles.

  He finally unbuttoned the shirt, pushing it open and down her shoulders. For a moment, her arms were pinned to her sides, and he used the shirt to hold her against him. When he tossed the shirt aside, the roughness of his hands slid over her, electrifying everything in their path, making her shudder. Their final resting place was on her hips, and he began raising and lowering her.

  She moaned, breaking their kiss to arch away from him, supporting herself with her hands on his shoulders. When his mouth closed on one of her breasts, she gasped.

  It was some time before he stilled, ending the continuous rocking motion that had her making those unladylike, guttural noises of pleasure, and helped her stand.

  "I have a little fantasy." He winked and motioned for her to turn around.

  The light danced off his abs, his cock raised tall like a flagpole—shiny with her fluid—and she felt her pussy contract at the thought of its absence from her body, even momentarily. When he twirled his finger in the air again and patted his lap, she moaned. Their eyes met, and the look in his was glassy, lustful.

  "Sit, please." He turned her away from him, placed a hand around her thigh, and then guided her until she had her back against his stomach.

  She could feel his hand beneath her, and then he pulled her down onto him again. The different angle made her cry out, and she stopped mid-air.

  "It's okay, Ella. I won't hurt you."

  With a shuddered breath, she slowly impaled herself, her body swallowing him until she was sitting on his lap again. His hands wrapped around her and held her tight.

  "Put your legs on the outside of mine. Yes, that's right. Now, I've got you, so don't be scared."

  But she couldn't help a choked cry as he opened his legs, forcing her own open at the same time...and driving him a little deeper into her as she settled further into his lap. It felt like he was pressing against her back from inside. While pleasurable, it was a new sensation, especially since nothing was touching her clit.