As his tongue expertly moved against hers, she imagined how it would feel inside of her. She moaned into his mouth, the fantasy increasing her desire. Surprisingly, he broke the kiss.
“We have to leave here.”
Hurt he pulled away from her, she joked, “Are you kicking me out?”
“Yes. If we don’t get up I won’t be held responsible.”
“Responsible for what?”
“For everything I’m imagining doing to you right now.”
Belle sighed. Hadn’t she told him how unfair it was when he talked like that? She could see his desire; it wouldn’t take much to push him over the edge. She could fuck him right here in the greenhouse and get it over with. She could consider it a twofer; the pleasure she knew he would bring her, and the allowance of herself to be with a man after what almost happened with Gabriel.
Taking a breath, she reminded herself of her reservations of sleeping with him. She wanted it too much, and it promised nothing but heartache.
“Doesn’t matter, not going to happen.” Belle tried to give him her most resolute face.
“What isn’t going to happen?”
“You and me. Flirting and kissing is fun and all, but that’s where this,” she gestured between them, “ends.”
Aleks looked at her for a moment before a slow smile formed on his face. “You’ve already tried to seduce me once; only a matter of time before you try again. My mother warned me about girls like you — you’re dangerous.”
At this, Belle laughed. “Me?”
“Yes. You’re the love ’em and leave ’em kind, aren’t you? Just going to use me for one night of unbridled pleasure and leave me pining away over you for a lifetime.”
“Unbridled pleasure? I think someone is over-confident.” She sat back a bit to allow space in-between them. His face changed again, eyes narrowing to a predatory gaze.
“I would destroy you.”
Belle took in a sharp breath. How does he know what to say to go right to my core?
Swallowing at the comment, she refused to allow him to fluster her. “You and I would never work.”
“Why is that?” He sat back, his tone a mix of curiosity and hurt pride.
“Well … because you are the love ’em and leave ’em kind. I’m not. I’m not the type of girl who wants a one-night stand.”
“I don’t want just one night with you.”
“You know what I mean.” She stood up to emphasize her point. Belle wanted to make it clear why she couldn’t become involved with him.
“I want a real relationship. I want someone who wants to take me on dates, who makes me laugh, who I want to come home to and who wants me to come home to them. I want someone who thinks about a family. I’m tired of sleeping with random men who only want to hang around for a week or two. I’m trying to start the rest of my life, and the next man I’m with will want the same thing.”
“And you think I don’t want that.”
“Oh please. When was the last time you actually dated someone? You aren’t looking for love — you’re looking for your next lover. That will not be me.”
He looked at her for a few moments before speaking. “Maybe I’m ready for a change.”
Belle considered his words, but she couldn’t let her attraction to him steer her away from doing what was right. Run, before you change your mind. She bent down as she picked up her book.
“Maybe you are. But maybe isn’t good enough for me.”
Chapter Fourteen
Dinner with Belle proved to be an exercise in restraint. Their encounter in the greenhouse had put him on edge. Aleks had never struggled to get a woman into bed as much as he had with her. She wanted him just as much as he wanted her, of that he was sure. So why didn’t she just give in?
Beyond that, her brush off bothered him. He enjoyed seeing her in his home, eating with her, just being with her. The unspoken schedule they developed gave him a sense of peace. And laying with her at night? It felt right. He was comfortable with her in his life. Why wouldn’t she give me a chance? If I wanted it, I mean.
He needed some space, something to distract him so he could gain some distance. Being near her made it impossible to think clearly.
“I’m heading out in a bit. You should invite the girls over to keep you company. I’m sure it will be late before I return.”
“Off to any place special?” she inquired.
“Nothing you need concern yourself with.” He stood and laid his napkin on the table. “Don’t wait up.”
He knew it was rude to leave her before she’d finished eating, but he needed to clear his mind.
He summoned his driver and instructed him to drive him downtown. During the drive, Aleks’ mixed emotions plagued him. Her rejection hurt.
As soon as he settled at the bar, he ordered a quick succession of shots. He wanted to be numb. He followed with a beer and took a seat in one of the circular booths in the back to stew in his misery. She was really getting to him. Every waking thought over the last few weeks had been of her. He couldn’t remember the last time something he wanted so badly had been denied to him.
Out of the corner of his eye he registered a brunette sauntering over to his table, two whiskey shots in her hand. “Hey stranger,” she cooed, “you look like you can use another.”
Aleks looked up. “Tiffany. Decided to visit old stomping grounds?” He had known her for some time now, and had more … consistent flings with her than any other woman. They first met in this very sports bar, she also being a native of New Jersey. When she showed up at his father’s business one day years later for a presentation, he hadn’t remembered her at first … until she reminded him of their night together.
“Please, Wolfe. You don’t really care about that answer. I’m here to offer you two choices. You can take both of these shots, and call it a gift, or you can invite me to have one with you.” She smiled with a sultry expression. Not as beautiful as Belle, but pretty enough.
Aleks knew from experience she was a woman seldom turned away, and at this moment he didn’t want to make an effort to brush her off. As annoyed as he was at the company, he invited her to sit.
“Good choice.” She sat down next to him, handed him a shot, and kept hers in the air, waiting for him to click glasses.
He complied, and took the shot. They made small talk for a while, downing more drinks, Aleks adding very little to the conversation. The more they drank the closer she got to him in the booth. As he finished his last beer and began to excuse himself for the evening, her hand landed on his thigh, tracing small circles with the tips of her fingers.
Aleks stared down at her hand. His lower abdomen warmed at her ministrations. He thought back to the greenhouse; Belle pressed up against him, the warmth of her mouth. His mind raced with images of her on top of him on the boat, of him grinding into her on his desk, of hearing her say she would end up begging for it.
He looked at Tiffany for a moment. He could picture holding her up while he pounded into her against the wall — hell, he had her that way more than once. He hardened at the thought of spilling into her warm center. He was desperate for release. I need this.
“Debating about it, hmm?” she purred, the corner of her lips turned upwards in a smile.
She removed her hand from his and moved it lower, rubbing her palm against his hardening erection. Would Belle even care?
“Tiff,” Aleks muttered, ready to turn her down, his voice not as forceful as he meant it to be.
She grazed her fingers up the top of his thigh, up his side, and around the front of his chest until she cupped the back of his neck. With her other hand, she took his beer and set it on the table, and pulled him closer, lips touching his ears. She guided his hand onto her breast.
“It can be as short or as long as you want it. I’ll be gone before the morning arrives, like always. I need this.” Her words, accentuated with a nibble at his earlobe, mirrored his own thoughts and obliterated any continued resistance.
Her hand returned to his lap and after a few more moments of the delicious friction, he made a decision. Quick, quiet, Belle will never know. It will help me keep my control around her.
“My car’s outside,” he growled, “let’s go.” He all but shoved her out of the booth. She followed him out front. Aleks opened the door and allowed her in. “Take us home — side entrance,” he barked at the driver as he rolled up the privacy screen.
As soon as the car started, she climbed on top on him. She licked up and into his ear as she pushed him back into the seat, grinding her hips in circles around him. A flash of the cruise erupted Aleks’ thoughts. Belle’s scent filled his nostrils as if she were there, watching with disappointment on her face. He forced the thought from his mind as pressure was lifted from his waist, the woman having unbuckled his belt just as the car slowed to a stop.
The side entrance was on the opposite side of the house from his and Belle’s bedrooms. He dragged her out of the car and up the stairs. Once they reached one of the guest bedrooms on that side of the house, Tiffany wrapped her arms around his neck and jumped up onto his waist. Her legs locked around his hips and Aleks turned her into the wall as he had imagined earlier in the bar. Unbuttoning her blouse, he pulled one of the lace cups down as his mouth found one of her pert nipples. His tongue circled it as he sucked, and he couldn’t help but compare it to Belle’s, wishing it were her soft, supple, breasts he was holding.
Tiffany moaned, her head back against the wall, eyes closed and mouth slightly agape, enjoying his mouth. Aleks reached in between them to unbutton her pants as he continued to suck and lick her. He let her legs fall in order to remove her pants. She pulled the rest of her shirt off in haste, now standing in nothing but her black bra and panties. She was definitely intending to fuck someone tonight … was I?
Aleks thought about stopping; about ending this here and not taking it any further. He didn’t want this woman; he wanted Belle.
He traced his fingers over her mound, hesitating until her hand found his and guided it lower, beneath the lace. Aleks registered how warm and wet she was. He began to stroke her, allowing her to coat his fingers. She placed one arm on his shoulder to steady herself as he slipped two fingers inside of her.
She bit her bottom lip and he again was reminded of Belle — her luscious lips, full soft breasts, and the delicious taste of her skin. Aleks closed his eyes and imagined Belle’s brunette hair wildly flowing around her, falling down, covering her breasts. With each moan, Aleks imagined it coming from Belle, urging him on.
Aleks’ entire body was on fire with need. He grabbed her ass and lifted her legs around his waist as he walked them over and onto the edge of the bed. He dropped her down and she licked her lips and spread her legs.
He took a few quick strides to the side table and grabbed a condom from one of the drawers. He sheathed himself hastily as he walked back to her, grabbing her waist and turning her face away from him. He placed one hand near her head as he grabbed himself in the other, positioning himself to enter from behind. She gazed over her shoulder at him as she commanded, “Now. Fuck me now.”
He pushed into her easily with one stroke. She moaned loudly at the intrusion as she arched her back. Head falling backwards, Aleks could see the smile on her face.
He stilled for a moment to feel her around him, relishing the warmth and wetness he had been craving for so long. She began to wiggle back into him and he couldn’t hold off any longer. He began slamming into her, slapping against her thighs. She panted with each thrust, yet for the first time since meeting Belle, he only cared for his own pleasure.
Aleks wanted to come as quickly as possible. He yearned to use her body for the release which had been denied him. Each thrust pushed her forward onto the bed; he wrapped his hands around her waist to hold her to him.
Her panting increased and she moaned again. She reached down to play with her clit, increasing the intensity of her breaths. Her insides tightened and he realized she was close. He laughed to himself darkly at being able to make a woman come without even trying. Look what you’re missing, Belle. I could do this and more if you’d let me.
Just. Thrust. Let. Thrust. Me. Thrust. In! She screamed at his last buck. He knew he pounded into her roughly yet didn’t care. He wanted his own pleasure, and felt the familiar pool at the base of his shaft. His own release was moments away when her insides clenched around him. His balls ached as his body tightened. He pumped a few more times, shouting as the pressure finally released. He continued to thrust through his orgasm as her walls clenched a second time which only milked him further. He grunted as he finished, giving two last slow thrusts and falling on top of her back.
He heard a soft noise and turned his head.
“Fuck,” he exclaimed, nausea rising in his stomach.
Belle had tried to sleep but to no avail. The tension between them at dinner had her worried. He’d been so distant. Was he angry with her? She ran through their conversation in the greenhouse. She’d been clear with him, shared her understanding of his habits and he’d given her some weak argument about maybe being ready for something more with her. In the moment, she’d doubted he meant it, but when she considered his subsequent demeanor, she began to wonder if she’d been too hard on him.
Knowing Aleks would be gone for some time, she left the quiet of her room for some midnight exploring. It was too late to make her way back to the greenhouse, so she had settled on an excursion to the only part of the house she hadn’t yet seen.
She descended to the landing of the grand staircase and climbed to the top of the opposite stairs. As far as she could tell, Aleks wasn’t lying when he said it was a duplicate of the wing that housed her bedroom. She spent a few minutes in each of the beautifully decorated rooms along the main hall. There were several bedrooms, a music room, and from the looks of it, some kind of art studio. Reaching the end of the hallway, she turned down another, eager to explore more rooms.
She flipped on the light in the next room just as a loud thump broke the silence. She swore she heard a soft giggle. Peeking into the hallway and seeing no one, she shook her head, resigned to the fact that Gabriel had thoroughly screwed with her mind.
She returned her attention back to the room. It was large but devoid of any furniture. Large portraits of men, women, and families lined the walls. Still more portraits, all in ornate frames, were stacked on the floor. She took delight in seeing the progression of clothing styles through the pictures. In the center of the room was the largest painting of all. It was a beautifully detailed long-stemmed red rose, just beginning to wilt. A half a dozen petals already littered the fictional ground and others looked just on the verge of falling. A white sheen encased the rose, making it appear to glow against the dark background. Belle smiled as she noted the artist’s signature in the bottom left corner, Svetlana Wolfe — Aleks’ mother.
The sound of a muffled cry shattered the quiet of her exploration. Belle froze, unsure of what to do. More inaudible noises followed, and she knew it wasn’t her imagination this time. She waited a few moments, ears strained for other noises. When certain there were none, she crept further down the hall to the end, curiosity getting the better of her.
Rounding the corner, Belle froze at the sight in front of her. Aleks was fucking some woman, his body tense and glistening with sweat. Her face heated with both embarrassment and anger. It was all bullshit! As she took a step back he turned towards her. He looked her dead in the eyes. To his credit, at least he looked ashamed.
She sprinted all the way back to her room and locked the door. Her stomach formed knots and she began to shake. She couldn’t believe her stupidity. He had protected her, but it had all been part of his cruel game. She laughed at herself. I told you so. I fucking told you so. She collapsed onto the bed, her angry tears soaking the silk pillowcase.
She sat up at a soft knock on her door a while later.
“Anabelle?” Aleks called for her timidly. She waited a few moments a
nd he knocked louder.
She walked up as she yelled at him from behind the door, “You are the biggest liar I have ever met. ‘Maybe I’m ready for change’. God, do you just make shit up you think I want to hear?”
“Let me explain.”
“How many times has this happened since I’ve been here?” The knots were back, thinking about other women. A fresh crop of tears threatened to fall.
“None… This was the first time. It was a mistake.” She wanted to believe him, imagined sincerity in his words, but she couldn’t let herself believe the lie. Not again.
“No, this was the first time you got caught,” she mocked. “Am I even the only one staying here or have I just not run into the other women yet?” Her voice rose in pitch as her anger rose.
“Belle, it’s not like that,” his voice strained.
“I don’t believe you.”
“Let me in so I can explain,” he said, his voice soft, attempting to coax her to give in.
Belle couldn’t possibly see him right now. “No.”
“I need to talk to you. Let me make this right.” His pleading had gotten louder, yet she couldn’t give in.
“Forget it,” she started with disdain, “there is nothing to make right. There is nothing between us … and there never will be.” Her voice broke at the last sentence and she hoped he couldn’t tell. She walked back towards the bed.
“Belle. Open the door. Please.” She didn’t bother giving him an answer. He pleaded with her a few more minutes while she silently sat in bed. The doorknob jiggled but she’d been smart enough to lock it. Some people know how to close a door in this house! She remained quiet, and after a while she heard his footsteps as he walked away.
Chapter Fifteen
Belle’s belongings were packed before her alarm sounded. She had decided the night before she needed to leave. It would be hard enough to face him at work; she wouldn’t remain under his thumb by staying in his home another moment.
Stealing Beauty (Fairy Tales After Dark Book 1) Page 13
