Buying the Bride

by Penny Wylder

  “It’s my turn,” he says. “I’ve never done this before.”

  It’s too easy. I smirk up at him, “What, sex?”

  He laughs, loud in the small closet we’ve shoved ourselves into. “No, you were right before. I’ve never crossed this line with anyone that’s worked with me. I’ve never wanted to. But now…”

  “Are you saying that I’m special?”

  He presses me against the wall, his body on mine, and kisses me hard. I feel all that hunger pour into me in this kiss. “You’re more than special. You’re everything.”

  This time I’m the one kissing him. I’m pulling at his suit because I want it off. I want him closer to me. I want all of him the way I’ve wanted him since that very first day. My hands find his belt, and I manage to get it undone while we’re still kissing. I reach inside his pants and feel him, hot and hard and long, and he groans into my mouth. “I want to see you,” I say. “All of you.”

  “You will,” he promises as he rolls on a condom. “Later.”

  He grabs the skirt of my dress and hikes it up around my waist, and then he’s lifting me and sliding in and oh god he’s so big and it feels so perfect. The rough cement of the club wall digs into my back as he starts to move inside me, strokes fast and desperate. He wants me just as I much as I want him, and even though I want more of him, I need this. This release of everything that’s built up between us for the last month. Long looks and pretending to come and my endless nights with my vibrator.

  The vibrator will never compare to the real thing.

  I wrap my legs around his waist as he fucks me breathless. I can’t speak, I can’t moan, only feel. The way he’s stretching me open as he presses deeper into me, his face buried in my neck. He’s never slept with one of his models before. I’m the first. The only one he’s wanted like this.

  The thought runs through me to the core, and the realization rockets through me, spiking my arousal even higher. He’s risking his reputation to be with me, and he doesn’t care.

  Andrew’s hands dig into my ass, pulling me against him as he thrusts, and his cock hits that spot deep inside me that sends off sparks and makes me see rainbows. He doesn’t stop, pounding steadily into me, and I come again. This time I do cry out. I say his name and yes and please more, and he gives it to me, fucking me into the wall as he comes too.

  Neither of us moves, frozen in the moment with each other, simply breathing. “I don’t want to move,” I say.

  “I do and I don’t,” he says, giving me a smile. “I want to stay buried inside you forever, and I want to take you home and memorize your body with my mouth.”

  My breath goes short and my fingers tighten on his shoulders. “I changed my mind,” I say. “Let’s do that.”

  He chuckles. “Your friend won’t worry?”

  “Are you kidding?” I roll my eyes. “She’ll throw us a fucking parade.”

  He laughs, taking my hand and pulling me toward the back entrance.

  Andrew’s apartment is predictably gorgeous. A downtown apartment overlooking the High Line with clean lines and a truly impressive number of windows. I can’t imagine how much it would cost to live here, but I’m going to enjoy it.

  “Welcome,” Andrew says, ushering me inside. “Make yourself at home.”

  Now that we’ve gotten the frenzy out of the way, there’s an ease between us. We’re going to fuck again, and I will make him keep that promise about his mouth, but there’s no rush now. We both know that we’ll get there.

  He takes his jacket off and hangs it up, and steps into the kitchen. “Do you want something to drink?” he asks.

  “Just water, thanks.” I peek my head into rooms, the apartment is spacious, and I have the urge to continue exploring until I poke my head into what is clearly his workspace. The entire room is covered in piles of fabric, swatches pinned to giant fabric boards on the walls. There are a couple of mannequins with finished designs and piles of sketches. It’s a huge contrast to what I’ve seen in his studio and the rest of the apartment. The creative frenzy and mess doesn’t even seem like him, yet here it is.

  I wander closer to the pile of sketches and start to sift through them. It’s the beginning of the fall collection. Chunky off-the-shoulder sweaters, gorgeous trousers and dresses you can wear with boots and leggings. That classic fall aesthetic crossed with his own individual flare.

  Andrew appears at my shoulder with a glass of water. “Do you like them?”

  “I really do, not that my opinion matters.”

  He turns me to face him. “Of course it matters. I hope that you’ll be wearing them, so I want your opinion. Also,” he says, giving me a stern look, “never sell yourself short. Your opinion should always matter. If it doesn’t, you’re in the wrong place.”

  I duck my head at the sudden burst of emotion that surges through me at those words. “We barely know each other; you can’t know that.”

  Andrew pulls me away from the sketches and into his living room where he settles us on a short couch, close enough to touch, big enough that we’re not crowded. “It might sound strange to say, but in fashion you learn to judge people quickly. People almost always reveal themselves with their clothes, even if they’re not honest. I’ve been doing this a long time, and have learned what to look for in the people I want to know better. The people I want to spend time with.” He smiles and it seems more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. “All that to say that I saw who you were when you walked into that room, and I was blown away.”

  I blush again, and he laughs. “I like it when you blush, though it’s funny that someone who has such a strong exhibitionist streak is so shy.”

  “I’m not an exhibitionist,” I say, shaking my head.

  He raises an eyebrow. “I’d say our experiences together show that that’s not true.”

  “But it’s not them, it’s you,” I blurt out. “I was a mess in the exhibition until I saw you, felt you watching. The same at the gallery. I had no idea what I was doing, and then you were there and suddenly…you being the audience made everything make sense. I don’t care if people see me—only if you see me.” My blush deepens and I’m suddenly afraid of that admission which seems too deep and intimate despite the fact that we just had sex.

  He reaches out, fingers brushing along my skin to cup the back of my neck. “And what if I had decided that I did want to fuck you in the middle of that gallery, in front of anyone. How would you have felt?”

  “At that point, I honestly don’t think I would have cared.”

  Andrew pulls me closer, a wicked grin on his face. “And tonight at the club? You’re going to tell me that it was only me touching you that was turning you on? Not the fact that we could be caught—could be seen—at any moment?”

  I swallow, taking a breath. When I was close to coming I do remember those thoughts running through my head, that anyone could have seen his hand in my dress. I wanted them to see. “Oh my god,” I breathe.

  Andrew chuckles and closes the distance between us to kiss me softly. “There’s nothing wrong with it. In case you haven’t noticed, I have a little flare for drama.” That makes me laugh. “And even though I would never let anyone touch you, I don’t mind if they watch.”

  His hand slides up my thigh, under the fabric of the dress and higher. “In fact, I think you might like it.”

  “I don’t know.”

  His hands keep traveling upward and he lifts the dress over my head in one swift mention. “I bet I can convince you.”

  My breath is shallow, heart pounding. “I have no doubt that you could.” I glance down as he runs his fingers between my breasts. “You’ve already seen almost all of me.”

  “Seeing,” he says, smirk wicked, “and experiencing, are not the same thing. I believe the way I convinced you to leave the club was a certain promise involving my mouth. Another thing you should know about me—along with being honest, I always keep my promises.”

  I let out a moan as his lips touch my neck, t
ongue exploring. He lays me back on the couch and shows me just how thoroughly he plans to keep his promise. His mouth is everywhere: in the hollow of my throat and across my collarbone. Sucking on the skin of my breasts and teasing me until my nipples are harder than they’ve ever been. His tongue follows the line of my stomach and the curves of my hips, fingers following, almost tickling but not quite. Everything is sensation and I can’t keep my eyes open as he works his way lower, past where I expect him to stop down to my thighs where he continues to explore.

  I honestly never knew how sensitive thighs could be. His mouth kisses my legs open, nipping the skin and sending ripples to my already sensitive pussy. It’s been a while since I’ve had sex, let alone multiple times in one night. His hands smooth over my hips, gently opening me further, and I hold my breath as I feel him move closer. But he’s taking his time, moving around, a bite here and a soft lick there.

  Finally, the barest touch of his tongue on my clit. I moan, back arching, I want more of him, all of him. He doesn’t give it to me, he goes in slow motion, almost emulating my vision at the gallery. Every inch of my pussy is touched by him, and I can’t even breathe. Sinking my hands into his hair, I pull him closer, showing him what I need. This time he obliges, moving faster, plunging his tongue deep inside me, moving across me in long strokes.

  I’m so close that I’m panting his name, digging my fingers deep into his hair, lifting my hips to meet his mouth. Andrew’s hands are hard on my hips as he holds me still, plunging deeper, and I can’t hold on any longer. Pleasure explodes through me, and I cry out as I come. I’m shaking with the orgasm, unable to see or think in the cloud of sheer pleasure. There’s nothing in the universe except for Andrew’s mouth on me. It’s too good. Better than I ever imagined it would be, and as I come down from the high, I can barely catch my breath.

  “Shit,” I say, and Andrew chuckles.

  He crawls up my body, and I love the sight of him above me. “Did I keep my promise?”

  “One of them,” I say, reaching for the buttons on his shirt. “You’ve seen all of me. I think it’s my turn.”

  A mischievous light dances in his eyes, “What do you want? Do you want to undress me? Or do you want me to undress for you?”

  I slide my hand down his chest, feeling the muscles underneath the fabric. “Show me,” I breathe.

  Andrew takes time to kiss me first, so deep that I’m lightheaded before he stands, his hands going to the buttons of his shirt. The smirk on his face is sexy as he undoes them, one by one, revealing a chest that could easily be in any fashion campaign. “Like what you see?”

  I return his smirk. “Show me more.”

  It is impossible that this is my life. With a playful smile on his face, Andrew undoes the buttons on his pants.

  “Why aren’t you the model again?” He could model for any brand he wanted. Hell, he could be a nude model for art students and half the room would faint with desire. His pants fall, revealing slim hips complete with that V I find so sexy, and virtually perfect legs. Not to mention his cock, hard and thick, making my mouth go dry with the possibility of feeling that again.

  He raises an eyebrow. “People already think I’m arrogant enough. I don’t think that modeling my own clothes would help that any.”

  I can’t say anything because I’m too busy memorizing him. He’s perfect and I’m so glad he crossed this line—missing this view would be a goddamn tragedy. He approaches me again, that playful smile reappearing. “Now do you like what you see?”

  Reaching out to touch him, I watch the muscles in his stomach jump and the way his jaw clenches. I smirk. “It’ll do. I think I can work with this.”

  “Oh really,” he says, grabbing my wrist and pulling me to my feet. “Well if you’re going to work with this, I don’t think the couch is the place to do it.”

  He sweeps me off my feet, and laughter bubbles out of my chest as he carries me toward the bedroom.

  10

  I come awake slowly, to brightness. The walls in Andrew’s bedroom are entirely glass, electric privacy shades half drawn to allow the morning sun in. I stretch slowly, languorously, feeling the tension in my body after last night. Even the thought of that makes me smile. I’m not sure what time it is, but I’m definitely not running on much sleep. There was too much to do, too much pent up sexual tension that we worked out. Over and over. And then once more for good measure.

  Rolling over in the bed, I find nothing but a mess of tangled sheets. I sit up slowly, my body still feeling heavy. I didn’t sleep much but I slept deeply. Probably the best sleep I’ve had since I started working for Andrew.

  Footsteps echo in the hallway and I blink as Andrew walks in—still naked—with two steaming mugs. “Coffee?” He hands me one of the cups. I take a sip without looking and freeze. This coffee is perfect, with the exact amount of cream and sugar that I like. I glance up at him, and he smiles. “You thought I didn’t notice how you take your coffee?”

  I swallow. “It’s not exactly something everyone notes.”

  He puts his mug down and sits on the bed next to me. “I’ve noticed everything about you,” he says softly. “I notice the way you twist your fingers together when you’re nervous, and the fact that you like to doodle hearts and cubes on papers when you’re bored and distracted. It’s every little thing that made me realize that I couldn’t just be professional. I had to be with you.”

  There’s a fuzzy feeling in my chest as he leans in to kiss me, and I don’t miss the way he makes sure to set my coffee aside before laying me back on the bed. The man can kiss. My body lights up with the way his lips press into mine. Our tongues are dancing and it reminds me of how talented he is with his tongue in other places, and suddenly I’m wet and ready again, even after last night.

  “I thought we might test your shyness this morning,” he says against my lips.

  “See,” I say, laughing. “You just said something so amazing and now you want to embarrass me.”

  Andrew’s eyes go dark and serious. “I don’t want to embarrass you. I never want to embarrass you. But every new thing you try opens your possibilities. I don’t just think it’s me. Deep down, I think you like being watched. I think you like the idea of being caught doing something you would never normally do.”

  I feel a rush of wetness in my pussy and I realize that he’s right. I do want that. My cheeks go pink and I fight the feeling of embarrassment. “Maybe it means I’m a deviant. I’m not sure that’s a good thing.”

  “Why not?” Andrew’s lips brush my neck. “Maybe it means you want people to see who really are. Maybe once you accept that you love it, you’ll realize how incredibly powerful you are. You don’t just love to be watched, but because of that, you have the ability to make people watch you.” His mouth is trailing down towards my breasts, and I’m having a hard time forming coherent thoughts. “I know the moment you walked into that room I couldn’t look away.”

  I groan as his mouth closes over my nipple. Maybe he’s right, maybe I’ve always known and have fought it. Maybe I’ve always been embarrassed by the idea. Maybe I should own it. His teeth graze my skin making me gasp, and I arch into him. “What kind of test did you have in mind?”

  “Mmm,” he says, raising his face to look into my eyes, “Do you trust me?”

  “Yes.” The answer is instantaneous.

  He grins. “Then close your eyes.”

  I do, and he takes my hand. He leads me off the bed and through the apartment. I’m not familiar enough with it to know exactly where he guides me, and even though I could cheat, I don’t. I do trust him. He stops me, hands taking my hips and guiding me where he wants me to stand. He’s standing behind me, and I love the heat of his skin on mine. Fingers dip into my pussy, and I lean back against him just like at the club.

  “So wet already,” he says. “We haven’t even gotten to the best part.”

  “If it’s anything like last night, I’m looking forward to the best part,” I say breathlessly.


  Andrew chuckles, and I hear the rip of a condom wrapper and moments later the head of his cock presses against me, easing in until I’m full of him. I moan because I’m still sensitive from all the attention he’s paid me in the last twelve hours and because it feels so damn good. He takes my hands in his and presses them against glass. His breath tickles my ear as he whispers, “Open your eyes.”

  Downtown Manhattan is laid out in front of me, with a spectacular view of the High Line. People are walking, jogging, even a group of people doing Tai Chi on one of the lawns. Around us, there are other high rises, close enough to see in the windows. I am utterly exposed, and my whole body has a rush of adrenaline and heat. God, he was right.

  Andrew pulls out and thrusts in again. “Look at our reflection,” he says, his voice deep with lust. “Look at the way my cock is filling you up.” I can see the ghostly image reflected in the glass as he pushes into me, and I grow even wetter. “Any second,” he says, “those people can look up and see me fucking you. They can see the way I’m stretching your pretty pussy and making you scream.”

  I try to laugh, planning on making a joke about the screaming, but I can’t. It’s too good. Andrew pushes me forward until I’m pinned between the glass and him, the coolness giving my skin goosebumps. “Any second, someone could see,” he says. “Do you like that?”

  “God, yes.”

  He chuckles. “I knew it.”

  I don’t know what it is. Whether it’s the idea of someone seeing me so vulnerable or the thought that they might get turned on by watching me, imagining one of those people on the High Line looking up and seeing me fucked sends a piercing wave of arousal through me, straight to my clit, and I’m already on the edge of coming.

  Andrew fucks me deeper, and I cry out. It’s like he knows exactly where to touch me because sex has never felt like this. Pleasure blooms inside my core and I go limp with it, held up by nothing but the window and Andrew’s cock. It’s a sweeping wave spiraling outward, washing over everything and making the world seem brighter. So. Good.