The Terms: Part One (The Terms Duet)

by Ruby Rowe

  My chest tightens, feeling as if it missed a beat. I clear my throat and set the bowl of strawberries on the island, nudging them in his direction before I turn and walk away.

  “Is there something in the pantry you’d like? It’s Liam’s new favorite place,” I say as I open the door to it.

  “Grab the graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate bars.”

  I snicker, and it’s a nice distraction from the heavy shit pressing on my chest. After I bring back all the items he asked for, he pulls a long fork out of a drawer and grabs a plate.

  Breaking apart the graham crackers, he then lines them up next to each other. Once he breaks a candy bar into squares and sets them atop the crackers, I realize he’s making s’mores.

  Since he’s taking control, I hop up on the island to watch. His gaze shifts to my thighs, and I remember I’m only in thin pajama shorts and an oversized sweatshirt, so I pull on my shirt, covering my legs some with it.

  “Don’t. I like seeing your legs.” Taking it upon himself to push my sweatshirt back to its original revealing position, he then winks at me and struts toward the stove.

  “Now, the only safety hazard I need to inform you of is to never touch your mouth to the fork with the intention of biting off the cooked marshmallow. Especially when Irene isn’t here to provide first aid. Trust me, I know firsthand.”

  Looking back, he grants me a dazzling smile, and I must say that I prefer nighttime Ellis over the brooding daytime version.

  “OK, I’ll keep that in mind.” While he turns on the gas burner, I pick out a strawberry from the bowl. “Thank you again for tonight. I know Liam needs to be in his own bed, but it’s hard to let go. He’s growing up on me way too fast. And he wanted no part of it when I tried to read a book to him.”

  “It only worked with me because the kid was terrified.” Ellis lets out a brief laugh, so I shush him.

  “Quiet, or he’ll be down here eating your s’mores. And you can’t fool me; I could hear you being sweet and him laughing in return.”

  “Don’t get used to it. It was a novelty move for me, too.”

  “Whatever. He likes you now, so you’ll never have peace again.”

  “He’s a special kid.” Ellis returns with a cooked marshmallow. “Is it done enough for you? Or are you one of those who want it to look like tar before you eat it?”

  “Medium brown is perfect. I have a feeling you do this often.” He shrugs, so I poke his shoulder. “Someone has a sweet tooth.” Upon finishing the assembly of my s’more, he hands it to me.

  “Yes, I like sweets. I also enjoy seeing you smile, and I think this is the first time I can take credit for it.”

  “I’m happy right now.”

  “So am I.” Shifting his back to me again, he goes to the stove to toast another marshmallow. I gawk at his firm ass, the tight shape evident beneath his sweats.

  I love this casual look on him. His long feet are even bare, and his light brown hair is sticking up a touch in the back. He’s normally so dignified and put together, so I like how he’s comfortable around me tonight without wearing a suit and tie.

  Ellis returns with his cooked marshmallow, and we talk about Liam for a while. Finishing my s’more, I lick my sticky fingers.

  “I make Liam award ribbons when he learns new skills. I’m going to make you a ribbon that reads ‘the s’mores maker champion.’ ”

  Stepping between my legs, he takes hold of my hand. My stomach flutters from how close he is and from how his eyes are eating me up.

  “You know what else I’m great at?” he asks.

  “What’s that?”

  “Licking and sucking, and I don’t think you should just take my word for it.” Inserting one of my fingers in his mouth, he gradually drags his lips up it, sucking it, too, as his eyes stare at mine the entire way. With no fight in me, I allow my legs to come up and wrap around his hips.

  “You are really good at sucking.”

  “So are you,” he says. “You have chocolate on your mouth.” Holding the sides of my head, he sweeps his tongue along my lips and swirls the tip at the corner of my mouth, wiping away the leftover chocolate. “I think I need to show you my licking skills next.”

  “Yes, I think you should.”

  He smirks. “Camilla Rose, are you actually agreeing with me?” The heat creeps up my cheeks, and I smile.

  “I guess I am.”

  “I think I need to see if you’re still a dirty little liar.” He grins, letting me know he’s being playful and not an asshole.

  “I might still be dirty, but I’m not lying.”

  “Fuck, you’re sexy.” Letting his head fall against mine, he navigates one hand up under the back of my sweatshirt while the other slips inside my shorts and grabs my ass. A little moan escapes from my lips, so he squeezes harder.

  With urgency, he yanks my sweatshirt over my head, exposing my bare chest. He ducks and pulls on my nipple with his teeth, causing me to cry out from the sting.

  He’s rougher the next time, inciting a pain more than a sting, but I don’t want him to stop. For the first time in my life, I need so much more sexually.

  He sucks on the other nipple while he plays with the first, flicking and pinching it. My temperature’s rising, heart is pounding, and I’m trapped by an immense yearning for him. He has to free me from it. He has to this time.

  Stepping back, he goes for my shorts, so I lift my hips from the counter. He pulls them off, along with my thong, and grabbing my body, he turns me and lays me lengthwise on the island.

  Dizzy with desire, I breathe in deep, inhaling the scent of the chocolate and strawberries next to me. In a heartbeat, he has both of my knees up and my pussy at the edge. As soon as his fingers touch my flesh, I buck.

  “You’re not lying this time. You do want proof of how good I lick.” He shoves two fingers inside me. “So wet, and you haven’t even had my tongue yet. You’re going to come fast. I sense it.”

  “Please, Ellis. Please make me come this time.”

  “It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. Us here in the kitchen. You unrestrained and begging already, but I can’t resist. You’re too damn sweet and tempting.”

  Securing my ankles with his hands, he leans over and covers my pussy with his mouth. The heat alone spreads like a vine across my skin.

  He tongue fucks me next, the pleasure instantaneous and building, so I grab hold of his hair as he shows me just how good he is at licking my clit. He sucks on the hood of it until I can’t take the sensation a second longer and pull away.

  “Don’t think about going anywhere. I’m only getting started with you. Once you come on my face, I’m fucking you rough right here on this island.”

  Bent over and holding my ankles, his sculpted back and broad shoulders fan out like an eagle’s wings, and it’s mesmerizing.

  His tongue begins a full-fledged assault, stroking down my pussy and twirling wildly along my clit. He reaches up and squeezes my breast, massaging it and tugging on my nipple, over and over again.

  “Ellis, I’m going to come.”

  Thrusting two fingers in me, he continues to lick as he pumps them in and out. The pleasure pummels me to my core, and it’s like a sheet of stained glass, shattering as I come. It showers color everywhere I can see, and I’m soon blinded by its intensity and the ecstasy of sensations.

  My eyes open, and Ellis is climbing onto the island. He’s completely naked now, holding himself up by his defined biceps. The man is captivating.

  “Scoot back a little.” It takes all my strength to rise to my elbows and move myself farther back on the counter.

  “We don’t have a condom,” I say, panting.

  “You’re not on birth control?”

  “No.”

  “Well, you know what those fucking stairs are like. I’m not going to get one when I’m dying this second to fill you to the hilt.” While still on his knees, he clenches my hips, lifts my pelvis and slams into me before I can reply.
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br />   Our backs arch, and I’m in awe watching his shoulders bunch and the veins in his neck pop. His jaw squares off, and I squeeze around his cock that has filled me so full.

  “Fuck, yes,” he says as he pulls back and thrusts into me again. His movements are powerful, shoving me against the counter of the island repeatedly. Every stroke along my slick center provides further pleasure, and I’m climbing toward another orgasm.

  “Your pussy feels incredible.” He pounds into me, and the way my pelvis is tilted, allows his cock to rake along my upper wall until I’m overrun by paralyzing sensations yet again.

  I unravel and contract around him for the longest time from the most intense orgasm of my life. He groans and stills, coming deep inside of me, and although this definitely constitutes fucking, it feels so intimate without a condom. What was he thinking?

  Ellis

  I can tell I’m squishing Camilla with my body on the island, but I can’t move. Not yet. It’s been a while since I’ve been inside a woman, and never has my cock been inside one without a condom. It feels unreal.

  This wasn’t supposed to happen. I’m playing with fire, and I don’t understand why. My original plan was to whip her into submission. She would be obedient while I make all the rules and use her to fulfill my needs.

  Yet here I am, sharing this intimate moment with her after making her fucking s’mores. Not to mention, I read a bedtime story to Liam about a damn poky puppy. Things have quickly gone awry.

  I pull my dead weight up by lifting myself with my hands. I’m now over top of her, staring down. Her hazel eyes tilt up at me, and she’s fucking gorgeous. Too gorgeous. Blessed with a natural beauty few woman are lucky enough to possess.

  Every part of her is emitting a fiery glow I’m drawn to, from her auburn hair, to her flushed skin and rosy lips. Her eyelashes flutter, and she grins.

  “I gave you sex, so can we hire Emma?” Biting down on her lip, she smothers a laugh, and I can’t believe she’s finding humor in the terms she must abide by.

  She’s sweet and strong … and I’m fucked.

  “I think I’m the one who gave it to you, but yes, we can hire Emma.”

  Her eyes round, and her grin broadens.

  “Really? Oh, thank you. I believe she’ll be wonderful to Liam. I have a good feeling about her, and it’s hard for me to trust people.”

  “We should get some sleep.” Climbing off the island, I pull on my sweats and help her off. As if embarrassed, she dresses in a hurry, pulling her old sweatshirt over her head. I bought her plenty of clothes, so I don’t know why she’s still wearing some of her old ones.

  “Um, I really need to use the bathroom,” she says before she leaves the kitchen.

  While she’s gone, I clean up the food mess we made, and not wanting to explain to Irene why the island needs sanitizing, I find some all-purpose cleaning spray and wipe it down myself. When I turn around, Camilla is back, but the flush to her skin hasn’t faded.

  “I’ve never had sex in a kitchen before.” That damn grin is back on her pretty face, and reality of what transpired between us sinks in. She’s too comfortable.

  “Go to bed, Camilla. I imagine Liam will have you up early.” My tone is cold as I turn my back on her to return the cleaner to a cabinet.

  “Well, thank you agai—”

  “I said go to bed,” I snap without turning around. After a few seconds, I shift to face her but only catch a glimpse of her hair before she’s out of my sight completely.

  She’ll be hurt and angry now, but it’s necessary. She was already trying to manipulate the situation, asking about hiring Emma right after sex.

  From what I uncovered about her past, Camilla’s a survivor. She adapts to new situations and environments well, shaping them into what will make her feel safe again, but only one of us can possess power at a time, and it’ll never be her.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Ellis

  Hungry for lunch and needing to stretch my legs, I forego having Irene bring me something to eat in my office, and I instead walk to the kitchen.

  Admittedly, I’m also curious as to how Camilla will interact with me today after what transpired last night. I’ve heard little noise in the house, and Christopher hasn’t popped in much.

  I avoided asking him about her this morning. I didn’t want to encourage him to speak with her. I could swear there’s a protective look in his eyes when her name is spoken by either of us, and it displeases me. If he’s lusting after her, we’ve got a serious problem.

  Reaching the kitchen, I see Irene moving about. After turning to me, she brushes her hands over her apron and sweeps her dark hair from her cheek.

  “Ah, Mr. Burke. I was about to bring you lunch. I got a little off schedule since I’m serving Ms. Rose and her son, as well, but I’ll make adjustments so it won’t happen again.”

  “It’s no problem. Where are they?”

  “They’ve already eaten, so I’m unsure.”

  “And Mr. Day?”

  “I believe he’s in the library working.”

  “Thank you. I’ll have lunch in the dining room.” Leaving her alone, I stride to the library on the main level and find Christopher working at his desk. This has become his office until we turn another room into one.

  “Hello,” I say.

  “Hello. I was about to look for you. A Mr. Lawrence made an appointment for tomorrow. He said it’s for a personal job, not his business. I saw your calendar was clear at 4:00 p.m., so I added him.”

  “Yes, I know Mr. Lawrence. That’s fine.”

  “Also, Camilla and Liam are in his room. I believe she’s resting on his bed.”

  “Why would she be lying down?”

  “She said she has a problem with her back, and it’s bothering her today. I offered to help with Liam, but she declined.”

  Her back… Our sex last night.

  “The nanny starts tomorrow, so we won’t need your help with Liam. I’m going to go have lunch. We can talk later.” Irritated that he knows more about Camilla than I do, I march out and head to the dining room.

  Salmon atop a salad is waiting for me at the table, along with a plate of fruit, but Irene knows to bring me something sweet to eat later. Most of the males in the Burke family prefer scotch, whereas I have a weakness for sweets.

  Sitting in silence, I remember why I usually eat my meals at my desk. It’s a distraction from the otherwise lonely existence in this spacious home.

  Camilla’s back is likely hurting because of how I pounded into her on the solid kitchen island, and I can’t deny that I’d do it all over again. My cock twitches from the memory alone.

  The thought of needing her well and not pissed at me when I take her to the playroom gives me an idea. Pulling my phone from the pocket of my khakis, I Google the nearest flower shop.

  “Hello, I’d like to place a delivery.”

  “Yes, sir,” a woman replies. “What would you like to order?”

  “I need five dozen red roses.”

  Once I place the order, I march back to the library to speak to Christopher. “I need you to do something for me.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Go to the nearest drugstore, and ask the pharmacist to show you everything over-the-counter that could help ease Camilla’s back pain. Pills, a heating pad… Whatever he recommends, buy it.”

  I start to leave the room but stop and turn. “Oh, and bring the items to my office. I want to be the one who gives them to Camilla.” Staring me down, a jealousy from him I previously thought might be a figment of my imagination is confirmed.

  “Is there a problem?”

  “She was sad again this morning. I don’t believe this is where she wants to be, and I’ve been thinking that maybe it’d be less of a headache for you and intrusion on your space, if you allowed her and her son to return home in exchange for a set visitation with Liam.”

  I give him a smug look. “It sounds as if you’ve put a lot of thought into this, which means
you’ve put a lot of time into thinking about Camilla. I suggest you stop that. She’s my responsibility, not yours.”

  Turning my back on him, I grip the doorframe. “Don’t worry, I plan to take good care of her, along with my nephew.”

  Leaving Christopher with that remark to stew over, I march upstairs. I’m about to enter my office when I hear Liam playing down at the other end of the hallway.

  For some reason, curiosity maybe, I’m drawn that direction. Arriving at his closed door, I listen in.

  “Vroom, vroom,” he says. “Momma, the car goes super-fast.” Not hearing Camilla respond, I crack the door open.

  She’s asleep on Liam’s bed while he plays on the floor next to her. He looks to me with a serious stare, so I smile at the kid. He softens and returns a smile.

  “Hi, Boss,” he says, and I laugh. Yes, Camilla’s going to hate that. She opens her eyes, and upon seeing me, she sits up in bed. Wincing, she grabs her lower back.

  “I hear you’re not feeling well.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Liam, would you like to see my office?”

  He hesitates, but being a curious one like his uncle, he nods.

  “I think he should stay with me. I can’t have you sending him mixed signals about wanting to spend time with him.” She’s curt with her words, and I know what she’s implying.

  “He’s going with me, and you better get used to us spending time together. I have three years to make up for, and it’s what Tony would’ve wanted.”

  Rolling her eyes, Camilla utters something unintelligible under her breath. I’m adding another tally to her list of offenses.

  I reach my hand out to Liam, and he looks to his mother for approval. It takes effort on her part, but she eventually smiles and nods.

  “You can go. I’ll be right here when you get back.” She glances to me. “Not long please; he needs a nap.”